A former highway worker for Gorham has initiated legal proceedings against the town, alleging his termination in May was wrongful.
The Finger Lakes Times reports that Clair “Bubby” Kerrick is represented by Geneva-based attorney Gregory Silverman.
The suit was lodged on Friday in the state Supreme Court for Ontario County. Kerrick had been an employee since 1999 and is now fighting to reclaim his job along with back pay, asserting a lack of due process under civil service law in his dismissal.
The lawsuit emerged after a series of events that began around January 1, when town Highway Superintendent Zach Eddinger was purportedly apprehended on suspicion of DUI, losing his driving privileges subsequently.
Kerrick reportedly informed town officials he had witnessed Eddinger operating his town truck despite the suspension. Following this, Kerrick was involved in a workplace incident where tensions rose due to employee inaction during a weather crisis, culminating in a heated exchange.
Following this event, Kerrick was suspended, with town Supervisor Fred Lightfoote advising him to abstain from work until further directives were issued.
Kerrick’s lawsuit contends his suspension and eventual termination were not preceded by formal notification of the charges or a hearing, violating his civil service law rights.
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