Turmoil Continues at the Board of Elections

The departure of James J. "Jimmy" Dolan, Jr., as Democratic Election Specialist at the Board of Elections was reported and commented on in September by Sam Pratt: "Dolan Disappears from Board of Elections." Yesterday, Gossips learned that Dolan had, just before Christmas, filed a notice of claim with Columbia County attorney Rob Fitzsimmons. The claim was made against the County of Columbia; Virginia S. Martin, Democratic Commissioner; and Diane Boice-Yorck, Democratic Deputy Commissioner, for:

creating a hostile work environment while claimant was employed as the Democratic Election Specialist at the Columbia County Board of Elections, violating claimant's First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and association protected by the First Amendment, chilling and suppressing claimant's speech in violation of the First Amendment, and illegal termination of employment in retaliation against claimant for exercising his right of freedom of speech and association within the workplace of the Columbia County Board of Elections."

The notice of claim goes on to allege that:

[Martin and Boice-Yorck] agreed and conspired and cooperated together to create discord and hostility between the Democratic employees of the Board and the Republican employees, and unlawfully directed claimant to engage in divisive behavior against Republican colleagues . . . discouraged claimant from being friendly and cooperative with Republican staff, promoted an atmosphere of "us against them" with regard to Republican commissioners and staff . . . intentionally acted rudely and obnoxiously toward Republican staff in order to antagonize them, unfairly badgered the Republican staff, failed to consult with their Republican counterparts, minimized impossible working conditions such as flea infestation in the office and other misconduct, physically separated the desks of the Republican and Democratic Election Specialists immediately prior to claimant's termination so it was more difficult for them to work together. . . .

The paragraph of the notice of claim that details damage or injuries claimed states the following:

claimant, a stalwart member of the Democratic Party, was terminated or resigned under duress in retaliation for doing his job in cooperation with his Republican counterparts on the Board of Elections; lost wages and salary, lost medical and vacation benefits, and lost pension; claimant suffered damage to his political reputation and standing in the community; claimant suffered emotional distress, anxiety, degradation, and public humiliation; and claimant suffered other injuries and damages which are unknown at this time."

Amanda Purcell, in her report on the subject today in the Register-Star, "Notice of claim alleges violation," indicates: "It's unclear when Dolan and his attorney intend to file a formal complaint as part of a lawsuit against the parties named in the notice of claim."
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