City prevails in Lawler suit

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

A favorable decision for the City of Columbia Falls has been made in a lawsuit with a former employee.

Former Street Superintendent John Lawler filed a wrongful discharge suit. Lawler's post was eliminated after the City crafted the job of Public Works Director to oversee the city's infrastructure.

A summary judgment in the case was issued last week in Flathead County District Court by District Judge Stewart Stadler.

Such judgment is issued when there are no factual issues to be decided in a case, just legal issues.

According to court documents, Lawler claimed that his termination was wrongful because it was not for good reason and was in violation of the City's personnel policies.

Lawler last year sent a letter to the City demanding more money.

Stadler ruled that the City had established reason and the reason was correct and for the good of the City.

"This upholds what we did," City Attorney Eric Kaplan said. "We hired a public works director and we had a legitimate reason to do so."

Kaplan said the decision could be appealed, but that any appeal would likely also be ruled in favor of the City.