Former parks and recreation director files lawsuit
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RONAN — The former parks and recreation director for the City of Ronan has filed a wrongful discharge suit against the City, alleging the last two years of her employment was rife with internal personnel conflict that ultimately led to her dismissal.
The lawsuit comes approximately seven months after the Ronan City Council voted to eliminate the parks maintenance position held by Jennifer Rolfsness.
According to the lawsuit Rolfsness was hired in April 1999 as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Ronan. Rolfsness’s former supervisor Kevin Templer wrote in a July 16, 2013 letter to the Mayor stating that in Rolfsness’s time as director she worked at “transforming the Ronan City Park from a problem area for the City to a major attraction and sense of pride for the community, schools, tourists, and elders.”
The lawsuit claims Rolfsness had a perfect discipline record until personnel problems came to a head on March 30, 2011, when she filed a complaint with members of the Ronan City Council against City Clerk Kaylene Melton.
Rolfsness claimed a Native American deliveryman was racially discriminated against when Melton denied him access to the city’s restroom.
In response to Rolfsness’s complaint, Mayor Kim Aipperspach issued Rolfsness a disciplinary memo for breaking the chain of command by reporting the problem to city council, instead of her immediate supervisor. The memo also reprimanded Rolfsness for “derogatory accusations” and “inability to get along with the city clerk,” the suit claims.
A little less than one year later, the city hired new Public Works Director Dan Miller in February 2012. The lawsuit claims Rolfsness was pulled from storm water and bicycle path projects and replaced by a male colleague shortly after Miller came to power.
Miller and Rolfsness also butted heads over the Ronan Park Master Plan, and Miller “engaged in a campaign of harassment and intimidation against Rolfsness,” the lawsuit alleges.
In October 2012, Miller proposed cutting Rolfsness’s position as a budget-saving measure. After overwhelming support from the community at a city council meeting, council members voted 4-3 to keep the position.
However, on Jan. 3, 2013, Rolfsness was stripped of her official title and demoted to “parks maintenance worker,” though she continued to perform the same duties.
In spring 2013 Rolfsness submitted a $255.50 invoice for Earth Day celebration expenses. On May 14, 2013, Melton issued a check for the amount with “stupid s—t” written in the description.
In June and July 2013, Miller issued three disciplinary notices to Rolfsness for alleged comments made at a city council meeting, failing to properly post notice of park board meetings, and allowing a community service person to work in the park. Rolfsness contested all of the notices.
Rolfsness’s position was cut September 30, 2013.
Aipperspach and City Attorney Kathleen O’Rourke Mullins declined to comment on the lawsuit.
“There’s a lot I wish I could say, but I can’t,” Aipperspach said.
Mullins will not be handling the case, as outside legal counsel has been hired.
