WatchCatKathleen's Blog

Still No Action, Continued!!

watchcatkathleen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:57:22 +0000

August 3, 2011 came with great expectations. How little I know about the law!

The judge cancelled the status conference. He said he did not want to give a status until he ruled. It is now four months later and I am still waiting for a ruling. It is over a year since I asked for arbitration to settle an issue that is now over two years old. On November 14, 2011 , my lawyer got a call from the judge’s office. She was told he was going to rule in the next week. This time, I did not hold my breath. Good thing, as he did not rule last week. Still in limbo and guess what, we had snow today.

Still no action!

watchcatkathleen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:46:35 +0000

There has been no ruling by the Judge on the motion I filed Nov. 2010 asking to consolidate everything for arbitration. As I mentioned before, the Library Board opposed the motion and asked to dismiss the case because they claimed sovereign immunity. In the months that followed, nothing happened. In May, 2011, I asked for a status hearing which was the only legal action I could take to move the case along. In June a date was set for July 22, for the status hearing. When my lawyer went to the hearing, the Judge said he had let the date, “slip through the cracks”, and a new date would have to be set. After the June meeting to set the date, the Library’s insurance lawyer talked to my lawyer and said the library wanted to settle the case and were ready to pay the contract amount and some toward lawyer fees. I was delighted to hear the case might be settled. When the agreed upon phone conference between my lawyer and the insurance lawyer was held, the insurance lawyer said we must have ” misunderstood” and that they had no interest in settling. A new date was set for the status conference, August 3.

Watchcatlocal

watchcatkathleen — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:07:58 +0000

I’m still waiting for the Judge to make a ruling on the Library Board’s motion to dismiss based on their claim of sovereign immunity. It appears that there is no time limit on the amount of time a Judge can take before ruling. It has been three months of waiting. I remain in the snow, in limbo.

Watchcatlocal:

watchcatkathleen — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:06:26 +0000

The September hearing did take place, but was inconclusive. The Judge asked for additional information from both sides. The documents were provided on October 18, 2010, but will not be heard until November. The Library Board and the Insurance Company continue to request that the case be dropped or heard by a jury. I continue to ask for binding arbitration. The Board’s most recent claim is that they have sovereign immunity. I wonder why they waited over a year to make this claim.

It appears this is the time in the law suit that there are many delays at additional costs to both sides. With a new library director in place, I thought the Board would want to settle the case. I was wrong.

Watchcat Local:

watchcatkathleen — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:17:31 +0000

The pre-trial hearing has been postponed until next Tuesday, Sept. 22. The wheels of justice do move at a snails pace. Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement.

Watchcatglobal

watchcatkathleen — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:48:16 +0000

Over the last five days in Göteburg, I have had the opportunity to talk and share ideas with librarians and information workers from all around the globe. Some ideas are the same, just with different descriptive words. Other thoughts are provoking and great for discussion. Every evening, the public library, located on the main pedestrian street in the heart of town, hosts an informal night spot where conference participants can gather and meet.

Watchcatglobal

watchcatkathleen — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:48:37 +0000

I am attending the International Federation of Libraries meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden. This meeting is an opportunity to network with friends from around the globe and learn strategies for providing new information services. I would suggest you read any of the books by Swedish author, Henning Mankell, the morning speaker or check into articles written by the keynote speaker, Jan Eliasson, Former President of the United Nations General Assembly and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. He opened his remarks by saying that Gothenburg, his hometown, had given him both roots and wings. Both men emphasized the critical roles of libraries and librarians in our information society.

Watchcatlocal:

watchcatkathleen — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:19:03 +0000

The Library Board and the Board Chair filed a response to my suit. They asked for the case to be dismissed. They have filed for a pre-trial hearing Sept. 14, 2010. I’ll keep you posted.

watchcatkathleen — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:45:26 +0000

Watchcatlocal: Friends and fellow librarians from all around the globe have written to support me in my efforts to find truth, justice and ethics. THANKS!

Watchcat Local:

watchcatkathleen — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:29:19 +0000

Watchcatlocal: Once again the Herald-Leader has gotten their facts wrong. I did not sue the Library Board over their right to dismiss me. I have never challenged that right nor is it included in the suit. The Board had the right to dismiss me, but not without paying out my employment contract which had two years left on it. I am asking for fair treatment and the terms of my contract. I am still hopeful that there is a chance of reaching a fair and reasonable resolution.