Village settles with former employee

BY BRENT FOX

bfox@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

The New Minas village commission and a former village clerk-treasurer have reached a resolution of Human Rights and civil court actions initiated by the former employee.

Linda Lockhart and the commission announced Wednesday, Sept. 10 that the parties had reached a mutually satisfactory resolution of the actions she had initiated against the village.

The Sept. 10 joint release said “this resolution, reached in good faith by the parties, includes a one-time payment of $40,000 made to Ms. Lockhart by the Village of New Minas and a further contribution by their insurer and releases the Village and their insurer from any liability for the Human Rights complaint and the civil court action.

“This payment is made and received without any admission or acknowledgement of blame of fault on the part of any of the parties. The parties in reaching this settlement recognize the costs, financially and emotionally, to all parties involved in the ongoing litigation.”

The parties made it known that “in accordance with the agreed terms of the mediation attended by the parties, this release will be the only disclosure by either party of any of the negotiations, mediations and settlement terms now or anytime in the future.”

Lockhart began her legal actions in December 2003. She had claimed she was forced to resign as clerk-treasurer on May 6, 2003, citing harassment, a negative work environment, unfair treatment, unjustified criticisms and reprimands, and public humiliation.

She had sought -- among other things -- lost pay, benefits, bonuses and allowances, as well as remedies for slander, and special and punitive damages.

Lockhart was subsequently elected to the village commission for a three-year term.