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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 12, 2006 City retirees sue Medford, Dyal By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Four retired city employees have filed suit against Medford and City Manager Mike Dyal over retiree health insurance, demanding reinstatement of benefits, compensation and punitive damages. They also seek class-action status in order to represent hundreds of other retirees who were denied continued health insurance benefits starting in 1990. Former City Attorney Ron Doyle, Bob Deuel, Ben Miller and Chuck Steinberg filed the civil suit Thursday in U.S. District Court. In addition to reinstatement of health insurance for retirees, the plaintiffs ask for compensation for the difference between the cost of their health insurance premiums and the cost of city employees' premiums. They want compensation for emotional distress, and they seek punitive damages against the city manager for discontinuing the practice of allowing retirees the same insurance as employees. The suit doesn't list the amount of money plaintiffs seek. Advertisement Steinberg and Miller are retired from the police department and Deuel from public works. The city has stopped offering continued health insurance coverage to retirees in stages, beginning with police officers in 1990, then management-level employees in 2001. About 300 of the 440 current employees are not offered continued health insurance into retirement. The four are seeking to represent all affected retirees in the lawsuit, although the classification will be determined by the court, said Stephen Brischetto, a Portland attorney representing the plaintiffs. "It was filed as a class action and they're seeking classification of all retirees since 1990 who haven't received notice of an opportunity to receive continued benefits," said Brischetto. Medford Human Resources Director Doug Detling said he had not heard about the lawsuit and it would take some research to determine the number of people affected. Dyal referred questions to Robert Franz, the liability insurance attorney representing the city. Franz has said he will not speak to the media about the case. "It's a law case," said Dyal. "We're not going to respond to it and do anything that could compromise the financial responsibilities we have to the taxpayers of this city." City Attorney John Huttl was out of town Friday. The lawsuit is the latest in an ongoing dispute about health insurance coverage offered by the city to retirees. Doyle, who retired in April 2005, asked the city for the same health insurance coverage that is provided to current employees, or a lump-sum payment of $90,000 to cover additional insurance and prescription costs. In November, Doyle told the City Council it should fire Dyal or request his resignation, claiming Dyal knowingly broke state law and a city resolution about retiree coverage when he discontinued it in 2002. The city's liability insurance company hired Franz, a Springfield attorney, to handle the case. Doyle filed an age-discrimination complaint with the state Bureau of Labor and Industries that has since been dismissed. The city filed its own complaint with the Oregon State Bar in March, asking the agency to investigate allegations of ethics violations by Doyle related to advice about city retiree health insurance benefits. In June the state bar decided to investigate those allegations. Brischetto said once the complaint is served on the city and Dyal, they have 20 days to respond. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews