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CLEAR Temp: 70 °F Wind: SSW at 3 mph Saturday, August 30, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 28, 2003 City of Talent hopes to settle lawsuit By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Talent city officials will attempt to settle a $500,000 lawsuit today in hopes of avoiding a trial. The suit alleges the city in 2001 wrongfully fired former Public Works Director Tim Dedrick from his post for whistle-blowing. Before his discharge, Dedrick told City Council members that former City Administrator Kelly Madding had not paid premiums on city employees’ health insurance, allowing coverage to lapse. He alleges she also moved money from his department without the council’s approval and called him a "fascist." "To be a whistle-blower, you don’t have to prove mis-management of funds," said Dedrick’s attorney, Joe Charter. "You just have to have a reasonable good-faith belief." The city claimed that Dedrick wasn’t acting as a whistle-blower in reporting Madding to the council because doing so was of no "general societal concern." Advertisement Both parties agreed to try to settle the case before a Jackson County Circuit Court judge, Charter said, adding that he couldn’t discuss further details because settlement negotiations are confidential. If a settlement can’t be reached, the case will go to trial on Nov. 4. Dedrick filed his suit in March 2002, a year after he was fired. In addition to his claim to whistle-blowing, Dedrick’s suit alleges that Madding discriminated against him based on his national origin. Madding knew that Dedrick was of German descent when she called him a "fascist" and Dedrick alleges that she referred to his public works employees — many of whom had very short hair — as "skinheads." Madding fired Dedrick on March 21, 2001, shortly after the last of several meetings he had with the council. Council members, Dedrick said, had told him he would have the opportunity to evaluate Madding’s performance as his supervisor, yet they approved his termination. The city in July 2002 hired Joe Strahl, who had served as Jackson County roads, parks and planning director, to replace Dedrick. Madding left the city in October 2001. She now works for Jackson County as director of economic development, focusing on White City. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times