Off-road park ex-director sues over firing

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published October 14, 2009

Comments (0)

The former director of the Straddleline Offroad Vehicle Park has filed a $365,000 claim for damages against Grays Harbor County alleging wrongful termination by county commissioners, according to The Daily World of Aberdeen.

An attorney for Tom Fite, a former Thurston County employee, filed the claim for damages in a letter dated Oct. 6. A claim often is a precursor to a lawsuit.

Fite was terminated May 5, 2008, during an unadvertised meeting between then-Commissioner Bob Beerbower and Commissioner Mike Wilson. After open-government concerns emerged through questioning of reporters and editors with The Daily World and The Vidette in Montesano, the commissioners re-confirmed their decision to terminate Fite in an open meeting a week later.

Although Fite was not accused of wrongdoing, he was fired because $490 was missing from the park�s cash receipts, according to documents obtained by The Daily World through a public records request. The park is on state Route 8, just east of McCleary.

The commissioners alleged Fite had a temper and had difficulty handling the park�s paperwork. Fite denied those allegations.

The claim for damages from Fite�s attorney, Wm. Michael Hanbey of Olympia, states that the commissioners terminated Fite�s contract without a valid cause that had been outlined in his contract.