Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Pinellas Park annexation official appeals firing
Bud Wortendyke says his dismissal constitutes age discrimination.
By ANNE LINDBERG
Published February 13, 2005
PINELLAS PARK - Bud Wortendyke, who spearheaded the city's annexation efforts for seven years, has appealed his firing.
Pinellas Park City Manager Mike Gustafson fired Wortendyke earlier this month for multiple violations of city rules.
Gustafson said Wortendyke's job performance was so bad that he could not rely on his work. Gustafson also accused Wortendyke of other offenses, including ordering a subordinate to "lose" a document so that a mistake would remain hidden.
Wortendyke has denied wrongdoing, a position he repeated in Friday's request for a hearing before the city's Civil Trial Commission. "These allegations are bogus and are merely an unlawful attempt to discriminate against me because of my age," Wortendyke, 60, wrote.
"As economic development director, I have always carried out my duties with the utmost integrity, professionalism and competence," Wortendyke added. "None of the alleged violations warrant reprimand, suspension and/or dismissal."
Wortendyke had worked for the city since December 1997. He earned $58,670 a year.
The Civil Trial Commission, a group of three city residents and a judge, local lawyer Meni Kanner, is appointed by the City Council and hears cases about such matters as employee terminations and pension issues.
The commission meets only when a case comes before it. Wortendyke's case has not been scheduled.
[Last modified February 13, 2005, 01:07:16]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
