|
Published: October 01, 2008 10:04 pm
NIAGARA FALLS: Charged DPW worker on the job for a day, now on paid leave
By Rick Pfeiffer
E-mail Rick
Niagara Gazette
James Curtis was back at work on Wednesday but Falls officials say he won’t be on the job today.
The veteran Department of Public Works employee who was suspended without pay after he was accused of posting a racist sign over a DPW water fountain returned to his job because state law required it. Although the city is attempting to fire him, under the Civil Service Law, the failure to do that within a 20-day window requires that Curtis be brought back on to the Falls payroll.
“That’s how (the Civil Service Law) works,” Assistant Corporation Counsel Tom O’Donnell said Wednesday afternoon. “We can suspend him without pay for 20 days, then we must reinstate him pending further proceedings.”
O’Donnell said he was unaware that the 20-day suspension limit had been reached. However, he said Curtis will not be brought back to work.
“If he was on the job (Wednesday), it was an oversight,” O’Donnell said. “He won’t be working (Thursday). We’ll send him home.”
Curtis will remain on a paid suspension while the city continues with a Section 75 proceeding to fire him.
“That’s what we’re going to do,” O’Donnell said.
The assistant corporation counsel said the city can continue with its efforts to dismiss Curtis, even as a criminal case against him moves through City Court.
Curtis, 52, 218 80th St., is due back in court Oct. 14 for further proceedings. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree aggravated harassment as a hate crime.
Because Curtis is charged under New York’s Hate Crimes statute, he faces a felony rather than misdemeanor charge. He is free on $500 bail.
Curtis has insisted that he intended the sign to be a “joke.”
In a brief encounter with reporters on the day he was arrested Curtis said. “I’m sorry. It was meant to be a joke, but I guess it wasn’t funny.”
The sign, written on the back of a blank employee time card and taped over a water fountain in the DPW garage on New Road on Aug. 13 read, “Whites Only Water Fountain.”
Curtis’ attorney Harvey Siegel has said his client has received support from “the African-American community, including his friends and family, who know he’s not a bigot.”
Mayor Paul Dyster said his administration has “no tolerance” for actions like those taken by Curtis. Still he admitted his hands were tied on Curtis’ return to work.
“We’re taking this issue very seriously,” Dyster said. “But we also have to abide by state law.”
|
|
|
|
 |
RN
JOB FAIR!!
Thurs., Nov 19, 2009, 11:00-5:00
RECRUITING FOR
FT Physical Therapist
RN’s
LPN’s
...>MORE
Senior Citizen Program Coordinator
SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
City of Niagara Falls
Full-time position involves coord., developing & revi...>MORE
Dental Reception
Maintenance
Supervisor
FT Maintenance Niagara Falls YMCA. HVAC, electr., plbg, carpentry, cleaning, pool. $13....>MORE
Junior Accountant
Auto Detailer full time, exp. pref. Apply at David Chevy Buick Pontiac, 10225 Nia Falls Blvd. or 298-9700 ask for Frank....>MORE
DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, no WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A
TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR
DEDICATED RUNS
No touch freight............Good miles
...>MORE
Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE
PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE
Coach, Women's Lacrosse
COACH, WOMEN’S LACROSSE - Niagara County Community College is seeking a head coach and an assistant head coach for the w...>MORE
Health Care
Health Care. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/LAUNDRY SUPERVISORS. Excellent full-time day and evening opportunities. Experienced,...>MORE
See all ads |
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect,
low mileage, $895.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495.
716-525-2889...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE
1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
