Rick Duncan's Lawsuit Against City of Portsmouth

On, April 21, 2010, Frank Lewis and the Portsmouth Daily Times reported Rick Duncan's lawsuit being filed against the city of Portsmouth and Mayor Jane Murray.

Portsmouth Daily Times Article by Frank Lewis



http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/7145718/article-Portsmouth-Hit-With-Another-Lawsuit?instance=secondary_news_left_column

In the article Mr. Lewis states that Duncan is filing on 6 different counts in his lawsuit and, that each count calls for damages in excess of $25,000.00.  Mr. Lewis also stated; "That is the standard minimum figure utilized in all filings of that type of suit, and is not the actual figure being sought."  Indicating that the lawsuit will be more than the $150,000.00 minimum figure.

In short, filing suit because he was fired, let go or replaced!  The state's governor does this everytime their is a change in the political office holder!  Democrats and Republicans are fired from their positions when a new party takes office.  The Department of Corrections and the Department of Transportation are prime examples of this common practice.  Prisons get new wardens and DOT gets new directors and district directors.

Then, why?  Is it such a big deal when a new mayor takes office; that they make changes as well!  It plainly states in the City Charter that these department heads can be hired or fired by the mayor of the city.  For, those of you who question the basis of my comments; you can find this information in Sections 31 & 32 of the city charter.

So, Mr. Frank Lewis and the Portsmouth Daily Times!  I challenge you this.  Rick Duncan is now back to work at his old job.  Do a follow-up story on this lawsuit.  Here, I'll even help you out with some suggestions on some questions to ask.

1. Ask, Duncan:  Did your lawsuit settle and for how much?
2. Ask, Duncan:  In what way did you being fired from this position earlier harm your pofessional reputation?  Didn't you obtain a well compensated job in Waverly, Ohio after leaving Portsmouth?
3. Ask, City of Portsmouth:  How much was Duncan's lawsuit settled for and, did the city's insurance cover the damages?
4. Ask, Duncan:  When formerly employed in his current position; did he ever screw his office door shut when he left his office?  And, if so, for what reason?
5. Ask, Duncan:  When the office door was screwed shut closed by him; did subordinates crawl through the acoustic ceiling tiles to gain access to his office?  What do you suppose they were looking for?  Or, did his fellow employees dislike him that much?
6. Ask Duncan and City:  Provide his current contract of employment with the city of Portsmouth?

I'll give them some time to report the actual facts in our local newspaper before disclosing the answers to some of these questions!  This line of questioning may have you take another look as to why his release from employment occurred!

These are just a few suggestions Frank that should get you going in the right direction, not the corrupt direction!

One other question you might ask Rick Duncan.  About the North Moreland Area Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.  Ask him if he ever received a letter from a local engineering and surveying firm dated August 10, 2009 and, if he signed a Notice to Proceed dated Aug. 20, 2008.  Has this project been completed and funded?

Well, enough for now!  The North Moreland Area Sanitary Rehabilitation Project is a whole other article in the very near future!