MASSIVE LAWSUIT TARGETS EUREKA, CITY MANAGER
Eureka City Manager Dave Tyson.
An explosive lawsuit filed in Humboldt County Superior Court against the city of Eureka and its manager David Tyson is bound to blow the roof off city hall.
The lawsuit was filed by former Eureka Police employee Tawnie Hansen, who previously won a $10,000 settlement against ex-EPD dispatcher Dee Dee Wilson over the now defunct “Above the Law” blog which defamed Hansen and Police Chief Garr Nielsen.
The new lawsuit alleges the city — and Tyson in particular — failed to prevent the harassment at issue in the Wilson case, and aided and abetted the harassment.
Tyson, as head honcho of the city, allegedly buried any investigation of Hansen’s claims with a “global investigation into any and all complaints” by EPD personnel despite a lack of any other grievance at the time.
“[R]ather than address Hansen’s specific grievance in the focused and expeditious manner required by law, the investigation of her grievance was instead delayed unreasonably and stretched out to a full year’s effort” while the harassment continued unabated, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges Tyson wanted the harassment to continue because he had a personal friendship with Wilson, and because Hansen had rejected his sexual advances that included “touching her in a suggestive manner” and intimating his desire to engage in “a specific sexual act” with her.
Tyson’s actions “effectively aided and abetted the harassment to which Hansen was being subjected,” according to the complaint.
Hansen was employed by the city for nearly 20 years, with 14 years at EPD. The city rejected her claim for damages at it’s September 1, 2009 meeting. The lawsuit was filed November 10th.
Hansen is seeking special damages of not less than $1.4 million, as well as punitive damages and costs of the suit.
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The Humboldt Herald 
SECTION 600. CITY MANAGER.
There shall be a City Manager appointed by the Council, who shall be the administrative coordinator of the city government and shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. The City Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office as hereinafter set forth.
http://urlet.com/ugly.increases
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/California/eureka/charterofthecityofeureka/articleviadministration?f=templates$fn=document-frameset.htm$q=%5Band:city%20manager%5D%20$x=server$3.0#LPHit1
is this the end for Tyson???
holy cow!
My-Oh-My, Heraldo this is a very juicy tidbit. They put Tawnie through hell for over a year. And when I say “they”, I don’t mean just Dee Dee Wilson, I’m mean all of those jerks on that blog (one of which now works for our local news paper). Garr Nielson is the best thing that has happened to this town in a very long time.
The good old boys(& girls)on that police dept. just didn’t want to get with the new program & they tried to run Garr out of town anyway they could. I’m so glad Tawnie is fighting back – you go girl!
Tyson of course has his own agenda, much of which has to do with the area below the belt – no secret there! But if any of this is true, & I believe coming from Tawnie’s camp it is, Tyson needs to be handed his walking papers!
Let’s just run him outta town on a rail. No trial, who needs that anyway. We have her word that he suggested a specific sexual act. Maybe that act was that she go fuck herself. But then again, what do we really know here.
This is huge.
Do tell!
There are shades of David Letterman in this thing: sexual pressure in the workplace. The complaint is sickening and the city needs to grow up and stop the high school drama, be adults and find some leadership.
you forgot the tar and feathers….
Who said no trial? A lawsuit will culminate in a trial, unless it’s settled.
The Journal is now on the story. But the Humboldt Herald scooped all y’all!
OMG. What will Iron Dave do? He could settle independently or fight it in court. The City has the unenviable position of voting to pay or fighting an ugly guilt by association. Will Tyson be vindicated? (LOL) or will he grovel to Rob for a handout? And can Rob ever afford to be inextricably linked to Dave’s pocket monster? Only time will tell, good times.
One might attribute this to a disgruntled employee looking for a big payday were it not for a long history of philandering that is common knowledge inside the walls of city hall involving current and former employees, members of the community, etc. Anyone who has worked for the city for any period of time knows about the skeletons and there are plenty of them. Bravo for this person having the courage to come forward and expose what many were afraid to talk about out of loyalty or fear of retribution.
There is no trial on the Humboldt Herald – just smear the sucka. He must be guilty because you said so.
There is no smear here, just quotes from the lawsuit.
Let a jury determine if he’s guilty.
Given Mr. Tyson reputation, I don’t have much doubt
that these allegations are true. This is so 1960’s.
It’s time to grow up Eureka. Oldphart, you are so
out of line regarding your comments. While you are
advocating “innocent until proven guilty”, you have
not been paying attention to the bad behavior this
city has exhibited. I know Tawnie’s attorney will go for a jury trail and will win. At that point
Mr. Tyson’s employment should be terminated. This will be a good start to clean up this city.
This is symptomatic of the arrogance that permeates city hall in how they regard the public and how they do business. cant believe anyone is shocked by this behavior given the way business is done in this city. they run things the way they want and weild power without regard for individuals or the public good. if the manager wants someone I am sure he feels he has a right to her.
On a side note…If Tyson does get the boot & if he cost this city a cool million or more, he should, guess who takes over until we get a new city manager??????
I believe it is our POLICE CHIEF!!!!!! Now is that Karma or what! Plain & simple… You sh*t where you eat & you don’t fu*k where you work!
p.s. Heraldo for more info, just check out the food section next Wed.
The food section of what?
Details of this lawsuit take away any appetite.
KIEM has zip…
good scoopin’ Heraldo
KINS probably had something tonight.
The T-S should have it tomorrow.
Everyone knows Tyson has been dipping his pen in the company inkwell. Maybe this will give some of the others courage to step forward.
Next Wed. check out the T S – look in the food section of the new paper. You will see a very interesting columnist.
Just watch; given the mentality we are dealing with I can predict that the response will be, “she asked for it”, she “encouraged” it, etc. “If she is wearing tight jeans she is asking to be sexually assaulted”. I hope the people in this town are sophisticated enough to buy into that shit. And as a previous poster mentioned there would be a different perspective if it were an isolated incident. This mentality of being the boss and able to do what you want is long past in most cities and I hope here also. Even if this person were flirtatious it doesnt justify the kind of behavior alleged here.
I wish I could write you my honest opinion and could trust that it would go no further….but I know you share with your trusted friends, therefore, life becomes hell for those who oppose your stance. Oh, life could be delicious with honest opposition and argument.
The timing is interesting now that David Letterman has made sexual pressure in the workplace a national issue.
In the real world when a company has a serious sexual harassment complaint lodged against a senior executive, that executive is placed on administrative leave. That is done to protect the company against any further liability.
Tyson should be placed on leave until this is settled. The only question is should it be paid or unpaid leave.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
This lawsuit is another indication of this city’s complete disregard for it’s
citizens and due process…!
This is another example of how deeply corrupt this City Government is. This kind of behavior as been going on for sometime. A woman from accounting, a woman from Community development, even and elected female. The Council needs to put a stop to this. Cherie and Connie got this “four out five to terminate” put in his contract. The time has come Mike, Frank, Jeff, Larry and Linda; put him on administrative leave now, and fire him if he is found guilty. If he’s innocent of this crime maybe you could let him stay, but give him a normal “at will” contract.
unfortunately the council is stacked with good old boys who think this kind of behavior is all good fun and since it takes four votes to make a change it will never happen, and business will go on as usual. they will villify this woman, characterize her as a tramp and thereby “justify” the behavior because thats what goes on in places like this. it is sad that eureka is so immersed in the 1940’s mentality that condoned this type of behavior as macho. it is a sad commentary on the state of this city that something like this could have gone on for so long unchallenged, but shows how power can prevent people from stepping forward. this woman’s reputation is irrelevant. there is no justification for sexual harassment, intimidation, and retaliation because she wouldnt give in to the advances of the manager. this is brutish behavior no matter how you slice it.
I wonder if Arkley is going to hire the Mayor of Orinda to come and defend his boy. If he does’nt hire him, he’ll find some spin master to make it all the victums fault.
6:52 a female elected offical? Who are you talking about?
Mary Beth, Polly, Virginia the mind bloggles!
Let me guess “living in Eureka”, it’s Susie Owsley. A Employee of EPD whom is still on “stress leave” but manages to make it to as many public events as possible. Sorry if I actually named the name in this cloak and dagger thread!
“at the same time, Tyson, who spoke openly to Hansen of his potential sexual encounter with an elected Eureka official,” Which one could it be???????
Whoops, I meant “an Employee” not “a employee”. Sorry to all of the editors out there.
Hmmn. Something about the way Tyson’s motivation for his actions are described in the “saucy” part of the lawsuit (as Hank names it) doesn’t quite ring true.
He was jealous of Nielson? That sounds like fantasy speculation. If, indeed, events happened how they are alleged to have occurred, I would say revenge for the spurned advances would be a more obvious motive than jealousy of a rival.
And lets remember, folks, that this is all allegation. I don’t have any reason to defend Tyson, but sheesh – this thread reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials.
old phart, you need to relax. Due process will have its way and the whole thing will be sorted out. Didn’t you make some gleeful remarks and the passage of the EIR on the balloon tract? I caught just a touch of condescension on your part when that came down and a barb or two thrown Larry Glass’s way. Doesn’t feel quite as good when the shoe is on the other foot.
We are only seeing a bit of what goes on in this city’s government. When will these people start doing the poeple’s business instead of power brokering and playing favorites. Let us see where this leads.
My favorite part about this whole story is that it was anonymous internet haters who stirred all this shit up.
All it took for me to know Tyson is a womanizer is to go to a hearing in which Lisa Shikany was addressing the council. Anyone with a pulse could tell there was some pheromone magic between her and Tyson!
As the the elected, I’m guessing Virginia Bass.
What a scandal, that this is even a topic of discussion, but it’s about time someone called the kettle black. Tyson is a corrupt, powermongering dictator in other ways too. He should have been replaced a long time ago.
The “Elected Eureka Official” has to be Virgina Bass. It wasn’t Polly (she was appointed) It sure as hell wasn’t Linda (she wasn’t in office then & she doesn’t swing that way). Tyson might have more skeletons in his closet than we will ever know, but somehow I don’t think that “Elected Eureka Official” is one of the guys!
Tyson should know better than to kiss & tell! This just gets juicer & juicer!
“Salem Witch Trials” seems an appropriate name for what the “abovethelaw” blog was doing to Chief Nielsen, so how fitting that Tyson is now going to get a taste of it. And remember who Tyson’s longtime PERSONAL assistant was through all this: Wilson’s sister! Man, I bet there are more skeletons in City Hall’s closets than there are in a graveyard.
Maybe so … but maybe not. Just sayin’.
The abovethelaw blog was going way too far though, I agree on that. When it was active I kept thinking “This must be utter bullshit. If there was any truth to it, someone would have figured out who Frank Serpico was and taken them to the woodshed.”
Who needs any facts or to hear the response, much less a trial ?
Posters here (Anonymous at that) have already smeared Dave Tyson, shot, found guilty and tried him in that order.
This could just be a bitter ex employee out for money. Failing that, smearing her former boss.
Heraldo helps yellow journalism by screaming “Massive” lawsuit. So, what is the difference between a Massive lawsuit and a ordinary size lawsuit anyway ?
Poor Virginia always getting mixed up with the wrong guys. One disaster after another. Too bad Dave wouldn’t leave Patty for Virginia, at least she could have avoided her current disaster.
$1.35 million?
Maybe now Patty will get smart and leave Dave.
If anyone has any doubt about the good ol’ boys network at city hall, take a look at who the new city clerk is & ask yourself how she got there. To say she knows all the city manager’s skeletons is an understatement, seeing as how she just might be one of ’em. And then look at the new human resource director & ask yourself who he knows that got him that job & why wasn’t there a job search put out like there was for his predecessors. So it is who ya know, and also what ya know & maybe also who yer doin!
If Hansen was just a bitter ex-employee out for money, and there is no truth to any of the allegations, how come DeeDee settled so fast?
This lawsuit is all the more powerful because of the settlement won against Wilson. These allegations aren’t out of the blue, they’re supported by the previous settlement.
I would say to HighFinance that ‘massive’ is a pretty appropriate word to describe a $1.4 MILLION lawsuit against the manager of a pretty pissant little city. If you don’t think it is maybe you should pay it and spare the taxpayers, who are probably gonna get skewered by the city manager’s actions even though we weren’t the intended targets!
Yeah and apparently it took Hansen’s lawsuit against Wilson to uncover Wilson’s involvement, as opposed to the city’s own (non)investigation, which uncovered squat. That by itself seems pretty damning.
I inferred that by “massive” she meant a scandalous, headline-grabbing, everyone-can’t-stop-talking-about-it lawsuit with a huge payout if it’s actually won. There’s nothing yellow about that. It is “massive.”
I suppose the only interpretation for “massive” you would accept would be a literal weighing of the paperwork upon which the lawsuit was printed.
So let’s dispense with “massive” and just call it “blogger’s gold.”
High Finance Says:
November 13, 2009 at 9:28 pm
“This could just be a bitter ex employee out for money. Failing that, smearing her former boss.”
WRONG make that current employee out for justice!
The new city clerk was Tyson’s personal assitant, you know she got to have lots of dirt on mr. T.
Hi Fi, the truth will come out. She has already won one lawsuit on this issue. And then there is the Grand Jury report where Tyson gave his version of the “facts”. The Chief got high marks from the G.J. I am not sure the City Manager’s report card was as good. He was hoping for vindication for his management of the civil war at EPD. Because of inter departmental friendships, he backed the wrong horse. There is a lot more that is alluded to by 9:48. Unless other suits follow we may never know all. Really, what is now in front of us is pretty powerful stuff. No dime novel could produce more twists and turns.
As the worm turns…
Correction: Settling a lawsuit is not the same as winning a lawsuit, no matter how favorable the terms of the settlement.
Yes. The overly-broad “global” investigation failed to uncover what was happening inside EPD every day.
The previous lawsuit one is that she was just saying they sent her Tawnie Nielson flowers and tried to pretend they saw her in a boat with Nielson.
This one is saying Tyson did some fucked up shit. If they settle this one, Tyson will be permanently smeared even if he didn’t do anything. Seems like revenge if the allegations are not true. If they are, then that’s what dude gets.
The devil is in the details. I wonder how much tax money, on a fiscal basis, goes toward legal involvement?
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Nah, I vote for Nancy. No, maybe Cherie. How about Mary Beth?
This shows how each fake ass ballot needs a box to check NONE OF THE ABOVE- why vote when you are forced to make a choice between one scumbag and another?
If the People don’t like either scumbag, they could check NONE OF THE ABOVE and toss out the trash.
Government by it’s very nature is about the ability to force it’s will on others.
“People” who feed themselves off the government payroll are stealing through the use of force by proxy.
There is a place in hell where all government slime will burn in a lake of fire for their crimes.
I agree on the none-of-the-above checkbox. Then, when n.o.t.a. wins, redo the elections with different candidates until n.o.t.a. is not garnering the highest total of votes any longer. Then, maybe we citizens of America would not get puppet master after puppet master for leadership! Ah, but this is too sensible of an idea which strips power away – eventually the abused and victimized will understand.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Nothing like sex and politics to get tongues a-wagging. Please pass the popcorn.
There are 2 Dave Tysons. One is a sober Professional one the other is a drunken lecherous pig. I had the misfortune to know the one and be trapped by the other. I have a good job in another city now, so guess I have moved on and recovered some what. I wish I would have had the courage to sue him and prosecute the city for what he put me through. I admire Ms. Hansen’s bravery. I hope her friends and family will stand by her, no matter what Tyson’s allies throw at her.
While it is certainly true that settling a lawsuit is not the same as winning a lawsuit, in this case anyone who knows Wilson knows she is like a dog with a bone and she would not willingly give an inch (or a dime) if she thought she was in the right. So in this case there effectively was a winner and a loser. The loser not only gave the winner money, but she lost face and left her cush job with its high paycheck and great benefits. She lost a lot more than the settlement money, and deservedly so.
So I bet the Tysons aren’t sleeping too well these days.
It’s ironic to be that this is about a person who received monies for a defamation lawsuit (due to anonymous writing on a blog) and this same thing appears to be happening here.
The fact that Wilson settled out of court on Hanson’s lawsuit is irrelevent to the charges against David Tyson. A $10,000 settlement is more in the range of ending a nuisance lawsuit.
But many of the posts above fall in the range of libel & slander by cowards posting anonymously.
Heraldo, there is a line that even bloggers shouldn’t cross. That line has not just been crossed here, but decimated.
I think you should seriously consider Anony.Miss ‘s comments at 9.27 am.
Wrong, cuz I don’t think anyone has sent flowers to “Mr. David Bass” yet.
The aboevthelawblog was around for several months, smearing reps,spreading lies,and crossing lines, and no one in the city put a stop to it, we know that much for sure. So maybe at the end of this Mr. Tyson will have grounds for his own lawsuit. In the meantime, let’s see how he lets this one play out, now that it’s about him.
In all this the comment by “Been There” seems to explain what is at the bottom of these sorry actions. Booze.
But there is usually more at the bottom of such behavior. There is a famous saying — “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Alcohol mixed with power can be explosive.
High Finance,
With all due respect, you don’t know anything about media law. Tyson is a public figure. The U.S. Supreme Court decided decades ago that in order to safeguard freedom of speech and maintain an open society, public scrutiny of public figures is protected speech, even if some fiction gets mixed in with fact. Many other public figures have been smeared far worse by the professional media than Tyson is suffering on this blog.
Explosive indeed. A bomb shell, to be exact. His stars didn’t line up well this time. He got a little ahead of the Mayan long count by 3 years and 37 days.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Eureka had a newspaper?
What a coup Heraldo!
You scooped all the local media with this salacious lawsuit.
We haven’t had a scandal this good since the 70s…
A few observations:
High Finance calls anons cowards, yet isn’t he or she an anon? I have no idea who he/she is, just like I have no idea who Heraldo is. Maybe it’s just me, but I think an anon calling other anons “cowards” is comically hypocritical.
High Finance again. If Larry Glass were the target of this lawsuits and the anonymous comments being made about David Tyson, would High Finance be complaining about libel? I don’t think so. By the way, High Finance, it is impossible to slander somebody on a blog. Why don’t you look up the legal definition. Hmmm?
Finally, this lawsuit and the accompanying fall out is the death blow to the Home Depot on the Balloon Track.
Here here, 11:10. And a memory. Remember when Sheriff Philp protested two weeks ago that no one was complaining about him–after he responded to hundreds of people complaining about him by having a Tyson-style internal investigation that determined anyone who made meany-face about Philp was a liar.
The Supes kept their straight faces, and to their credit cut him out of the loop that ultimately empowered the Human Rights Commission to ask Philp for the power to open an investigation that could ask him to cooperate with them in investigating his officers he’s been covering for, if he chose to. Boy, that pissed him off!
That’s how far we’ve come, reform fans. If we had a newspaper, we could all enjoy these subleties.
And my point was going to be, it’s as obvious as ever that decisions aren’t made in open, decision-making bodies convened to decide them. Philp’s shock at what he thought had been decided in the open illustrated what really happens beyond any shadow of a doubt.
If only there were a Brown Act in this state . . . oh yeah, then we’d need a newspaper.
But to be fair, the Journal had the story the same hour with quotes from the lawsuit and a download link for the full text. A scoop isn’t much of a scoop without presenting the evidence behind the reporting.
Obviously someone tipped off Heraldo, someone with knowledge of the case or someone close to the courthouse.
What is relevant is that the tipster chose to tip off a blog and not a newspaper. The tipster had no faith in how the newspaper would spin it.
Read the quick notes for November 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Sexual harassment and delaying an investigation of a serious complaint should
not be tolerated. How can anyone condone this kind of behavior?
I thought the opposite. Someone from a certain news organization tipped off the blog.
Indeed. Even if a communication is recorded on tape, distribution of electronic communication claiming something defamatory is true when it is not is technically libel. Radio statements are always sued as libel and oral gossip as slander.
Good luck trying to sue a blog though. It helps to know exactly who you are suing, so you want a non-geek to be behind it. These days, it is harder and harder to find non-geeks. Preferably if you get a geek, you want a dumb one like that kid who hacked Palin’s email. It is easier if they register a domain or an email address, even with the “anonymous” domain by proxy which is not protection, as long as they don’t use… say… Katz Global.
But anyway, we all know what the ultimate defense for libel is: truth behind what you are saying.
Well if a frustrated reporter somewhere had to tip off a blog because he or she couldn’t get the editor to move on such a hot potato, that kind of proves my point.
The tip was up here on Heraldo on the 12th, it took 2 days for the T-S to get a story up. Not a knock on the reporters, at least someone got the word out.
Yes, your thought might be correct. We will probably never know that detail.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Interesting guess, but no. It’s simple disloyalty to the employer that causes such leaks, or spite for the reporter who will be covering the news (stealing the reporter’s thunder, as it were).
This lawsuit was quickly becoming Eureka’s worst-kept secret, as shown by the anonymous tip Bill mentioned.
To put a human dimension on this mess, the city will incur legal fees to defend against it, and no doubt will have to pay for Tyson’s defense team also.
How many city employees will lose their jobs because of the expense of defending the lawsuit, let alone if the city loses and must pay a huge judgment?
If the defense costs $100,000 then anywhere from 1 to 4 city jobs will disappear in the middle of the Bush Bust, the deepest depression in 80 years.
Or we could just let the City Attorney defend the city (and Tyson) and save a few bucks.
What do you think?
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Here is some food for thought for those who say Hansen’s lawsuit against Wilson doesn’t have any bearing on the one against Tyson & the city. Hansen has already made one of her points. If her lawsuit against Wilson was settled because of the flower incident, then it was discovered in considerably less time than a year by Hansen’s camp. If it was even discovered at all by the city (who should have better resources)then what happened to the it? Perhaps Mr Tyson could tell us.
Maybe one should ask that question of Rob Arkley: how much taxpayer money has been wasted by the County dealing with your baseless SLAPP suits, Rob? Isn’t it just a wee bit hypocritical to use your attorneys to harass people while pointing the finger at others for being litigious? So transparent…you may think you are fooling people, but mostly they just don’t want to admit that the emperor has no clothes.
It’s about time the regular people start fighting back against these corrupt power-mongerers, Tyson included.
Another interesting question is that the City Council turned down a very recent settlement offer, which was followed closely by the filing of the suit.
I wonder how much was asked for in the settlement, why it was turned down (though I realize in many cases this is pro forma these days) and who voted to turn it down.
It may turn out in the long run to be a lot less expensive to settle.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
There are enough unnamed defendants in the suit that Humboldt County may have to import some attorneys for a year or two.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
The depositions will probably flush out many more defendants. Personnel director, City Attorney, Administrative assistants etc. Basically everyone who conspired to violate Hansen’s due process rights. This is a classic case of the cover up being worse than the crime, which was bad enough.
Since I am not an attorney, I don’t know if the smears above meet the legal definition of libel & slander.
But, legal technicalities aside, a number of you should be ashamed at what you are saying, especially since there is no proof yet.
And there is a big difference between you & me, anon 11.31am, I am not the one hurling salacious accusations against an individual about. Why don’t you expose your identity & let these hyenas go after you?
All initial legal costs will be paid for by the insurance company or pool that the city belong to, that’s what their annual preimums are for, and any settlement or judgment up to policy limits. Now, if Tyson is found to have intentionally committed some of the violations listed in the lawsuit, then he would become PERSONALLY liable for the costs and the insurance company can sue him to recoup the money spent to defend him.
What I would like to know – He says he can’t comment on advice of his lawyer. Is this a personal attorney he’s retained or the insurance company hack?
I’m sure its one of Arkley’s lawyers, or randy gans brother.
High Finance:
Would you be on Heraldo complaining if Larry Glass were the defendant in this lawsuit? Be honest.
And, yes, you are a hypocrite for being anonymous and complaining about anonymous posts.
Rose has been seriously self-medicating since hearing the news about this lawsuit. That’s why she hasn’t posted anything in a while.
Anonymous, if people like you were launching personal smear attacks on this level against Larry Glass, I would say the exact same thing.
I feel sorry for you that you can not see what a freakin’ hypocrite you are.
I criticise Larry Glass’s politics often. I comment on the fact he doesn’t really live in Eureka. I wouldn’t start accusing him of sexual harrassment and worse on this one flimsy accusation. I don’t attack him personally, but his politics.
High Finance, if you have a problem with people hiding behind false or anonymous identities, why don’t you man up and expose your identity first?
So City Manager has been doing the Mayor? Aren’t they both married?
The lawsuit is a smokescreen and a fund-raising effort cooked up by Hansen and Nielsen. The rumbles of discontent are growing louder internally at EPD, caused by the chief and his psychotic leadership style. In the near future there will be several key retirements and Nielsen already has his minions selected for promotion. How many on this blog who have opined as to “how great things have been at EPD since Nielsen arrived” have actually spoken to, or know, people that work there? If you did, you wouldn’t be throwing up junk like that. Nielsen is like one of the “visitors” on “V”.
Hackenbush, things ARE better. Since Nielsen has taken charge, things are better for the citizens of Eureka. Thats what counts. EPD is there to provide policing service, not happy time for its employees.
It’s stories like this that make me proud to be a taxpayer.
This is sarcasm in case you were wondering.
I’m GLAD there are rumbles of discontent within the Eureka PD over Nielsen’s management. That is good news for the Eureka. The “key retirements” can’t come fast enough. We want a police department, not an execution squad.
Dr Hackenbush is obviously one of the old guard malcontents (or a close friend or relative) who had their entitlement wings clipped. Not many left I would guess. And yeah it’s about time some folks retired, especially the ones with the “we be the kickass poleece and can do what we want” attitudes that got people shot. Far as I can tell the pd never saw any mass exodus that whiners predicted, there hasn’t been anyone shot, and the civil grand jury that investigated the laundry list of whinings exonerated the chief and pretty much gave a definitive statement as to who is “psychotic” and who isn’t. You need some counseling or at least maybe you should join Wilson and the retirees in moving on.
With all this talk of key retirements, is it too much to hope for that the really old fart with the dyed hair is finally leaving?
highboldtage Says:
November 14, 2009 at 11:43 am
Obviously someone tipped off Heraldo, someone with knowledge of the case or someone close to the courthouse.
What is relevant is that the tipster chose to tip off a blog and not a newspaper. The tipster had no faith in how the newspaper would spin it.
Read the quick notes for November 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Response = This is just another example or clue as to why hard print media (newspapers) will be obsolete in the near future as the circulating newspaper industry is almost over and dead. Technology (computer) is where migrating information seekers are going – including blogs. More people realize the propaganda machine that is partly the newspaper industry (the false messenger driven by profit).
Question is this – When does the legal requirements for “public noticing” become met when newspapers can’t be used as the medium to bring such notice to the general public any longer? Seems that certain legal requirements for “A Legal Process” will have a period of time where “legality is not met” – in relationship to whether legal and proper noticing even occured.
For The Record, many tips get to the blogs (H.H.) before the newspaper. The recent Planning Commission appointment is a testament to this fact. Now, if only Heraldo knows who is stepping down from the Headwaters Fund Board – T.S. did not elaborate?
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Hench,
If Eureka had a newspaper, the newspaper could put stories on the interwebs, too. Just imagine.
Yes, just imagine daily newspapers publishing news for free on the Internet. That sounds like a wonderful business model for success. Let’s suggest it to them and see how things turn out.
I predict the opposite. After a mass die-off of newspapers, and the majority of free, trusted news sources disappear, people will realize they need some measure of objectivity from identifiable reporters on the local level and newspapers will return, this time not giving their product away for free.
I think I am gonna create a David Tyson blog, ala abovethelaw. This one will be called belowthebelt. Any bets on how long it would take the city to do a real investigation and shut it down?
5:26,
The newspaper could have an intelligent staff of industrious and witty writers, who would attract a large audience. Then the newspaper could invite businesses to place advertising messages next to what the industrious writers wrote, thus getting money. Then they could pay most of that money to the writers, because there would be very few expenses.
Of course, to make this work the newspaper would have to discover things before others, and would need to occasionally do what could be known as “in depth” pieces. That’s why it would need to have industrious and intelligent writers. They could be called reporters.
Oh, I have an even better idea. Hire hacks (with one exception), pay them even less than they’re worth, manage the whole thing from somewhere else. If nobody wants to buy the paper, complain about the internet. Give some campaign contributions, maybe you can get money from Uncle Sam.
Thankfully we have some of the people you describe living and working right here in Humboldt County. I invite you to pick up a newspaper sometime.
Anonymous at 10:50 Friday said, “Correction: Settling a lawsuit is not the same as winning a lawsuit, no matter how favorable the terms of the settlement.”
Yes, among other things, settling scuttles discovery.
But if this suit moves forward, Mr. Tyson apparently will be interviewed under oath about some fairly specific allegations. He will have a chance to clear his but might be asked about similar incidents or allegations and would be obliged to respond.
The T-S has just the one, I’m afraid. I can read.
The problem is not the reporters.
The internet will kill newspaper publishing on cost basis alone, no dead trees, much faster uptime with stories.
It is like comparing a telephone with a telegraph. The telegraph works, but it got replaced by telephones – and there are reasons why it did.
What is needed is a way for “reporters” to make a living on the internet, because that is where they must live now.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
5:59,
1) People will pay for a product if it is good and they can’t get it for free. Not everyone has to pay to make it work.
2) The internet may well kill the news printing industry; there is no reason whatsoever for it to kill reporting, or even to kill newspapers. Newspapers may become less profitable.
3) There is no daily newspaper in Humboldt County that is worth paying for, unless you need to find out what’s on sale at the mall. This would apply whether or not the T-S put its “content” on the web.
Perhaps for national news, but there’s little evidence to suggest local weeklies are in permanent danger. The Bush Bust is hurting them, but once we’re out of this depression the Internet still won’t pose that much of a risk. People like reporters they know who furnish verified news, not rumor for anonymous bloggers, at least the people who pay for newspapers prefer that, I mean.
Secondly, advertisers need an outlet. Newspapers and radio are the biggest, most effective outlet. Localized advertising on the web isn’t going anywhere and they’ve had, what, 10 years to figure it out? Weekly newspapers are safe.
I do enjoy the North Coast Journal, and when I lived in Reno I enjoyed the Reno News & Review, a very similar publication so your point is well made.
What I like most are the in depth articles.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Now it becomes more clear why Tyson blocked the Humboldt Herald at City hall and EPD. He knew things were getting out of hand with all the negative comments coming up. It was undermining his credibility with staff. You can only block the truth for so long Dave.
Long time staff have probably known what might be coming for some time. It must have been mighty touchy around city hall for the last few months.
I have known Dave for many many years. Many. I don’t see what I am reading here as being even close to the truth, and I doubt anyone who knows him personally would talk about him this way. I think you are misinformed and off base.
Larry feeding closed session info to Heraldo…
When will a real reporter (HanQ, que pasa???)step up and investigate?
Garr’s problems dont go away with this either. More suits will be forthcoming.
Anony.Miss you must not know him that well or your not paying attention. Have you been out drinking with him? I doubt it. Go back a read “been there’s” comment(8:19am). That the Tyson many of us know.
I would say the Dave you know is true as well. No one is all one way or the other.
I have been at events and was drinking alcohol with him, as well as others, including his wife. I don’t believe anonymous bloggers who can make up whatever they want and they probably don’t believe me either. I don’t see this information as the truth that I know. I have known him for over 35 years and have not seen this behavior, or anything close to it. Maybe there is a whole other personality I don’t know. I just doubt it.
Gotta go with 06em on this. Just like the morons at the above the law blog were sure they had Garr dead to rights, it seems like most politcally opposed to Tyson here want to just assume guilt.
Good thing we have a court of law. One thing not being mentioned, at least as far as I can see here, is that yes, Tyson may have to give testimony under oath, but this may open up a can of worms that Tawney Hanson doesn’t won’t to open, if accusations made against her have any truth to them.
Just as Ms. Hansen has the right to proceed with a suit, the City of Eureka has the right to defend itself.
Be interesting to see ALL the big dogs giving sworn testimony, from Tyson, Garr Neilson, to other EPD staff and even those like Polly Endert, her sister Jill MacDonald and yes – Larry Glass.
The only thing wrong with “Blog-News” is anonymous reporting. Other than that, let the propaganda outlets serve their corporate masters in some new fashion, or they can just go lay down in the tar-pit and call it an epoch.
Moviedad:
“. . .lay down in the tar-pit and call it an epoch.” Love the metaphor, but it’s lie, not lay. Tar pit isn’t hyphenated, either. My only complaint about blog journalism is that there’s no rim editors to limit the abuse of hyphens and apostrophes.
Your only criticism Walt? Really? News reporting would devolve into pure rumor. Imagine a world in which every person’s source of news is no better than what their friends forwarded them in e-mail this morning.
Good Rob, man (or woman), I do believe you’ve accidentally stumbled upon the method by which propaganda is distributed to the ever-shrinking Republican base! It’s like I’m seeing the source of the Nile for the first time! What an amazing achievement. Dr. Anonymous, I presume?
“The devil is in the details. I wonder how much tax money, on a fiscal basis, goes toward legal involvement?”
…..doesn’t Rob’s indemnification agreement with the City cover that too? It’s the least he can do for his boy.
News reporting HAS devolved into pure rumor, 6:46, and even talking points: witness Nox Spews. The late unlamented ER was running articles blasting Obama’s people for DARING to imply Nox was something other than journalism. But there’s a great tradition in this country of journalistic disinformation. . .Hearst comes to mind, and even Ben Franklin, who sometimes just made shit up. Then there are the Inquirer and the rest of the check-out stand beauties. . . The truthiness matters less than marketability.
and the truthlessness is not one-sided. And people weigh in on truthfulness depending on their own opinion.
As opposed to printing verbatim press releases from the EPD, County Sheriffs, Coroner’s office etc, and passing it off as “news?”
Both the ER and the T-S are guilty of this offense.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Anonymous Says:
November 15, 2009 at 6:46 am
“Your only criticism Walt? Really? News reporting would devolve into pure rumor. Imagine a world in which every person’s source of news is no better than what their friends forwarded them in e-mail this morning.”
Somebody leaked this to Heraldo. If Larry Glass really did it, it deserves a criminal investigation.
And like Anony.miss, I too have had interaction with David Tyson in professional meetings & social events. I have never seen anything other than professionalism from him. He is very good on the details, never tries to upstage the councilmen & always represents our city in a dignified way.
If you remember back as far as the early 80’s, we had a series of disastrous City Managers. Tyson has calmed the whole place down. He doesn’t deserve this treatment.
Lawsuits are a matter of public record.
This ought to be one hell of a circus. Get your front row seats and pass the popcorn!! They’ll be some shakin’ goin’ on!!!
Yes, but I hardly think you’re down at the courthouse every day checking the docket. Either a reporter or someone in city government likely tipped you, or someone connected to either one of those type of people.
You all talk like a secret could actually be kept in this town. I’m just surprised it took more than one day to get out.
This part of the conversation about where the tip came from is ridiculous. If the story hadn’t broken wouldn’t the plaintiffs attorney issue a press release? Isn’t that standard procedure in suits like this? The plaintiffs will want witnesses to come forward, p.r. is SOP.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
You know the good thing about this blog is that Tyson can’t call the editor and demand that certain comments about him be removed, like he can with the Times-Standard.
Sure, the attorney might issue a press release. The point is that he/she apparently didn’t do that, and we’re now discussing a different issue than the one that interests you (blogs, newspapers, tipsters and the future of journalism). Sorry if that bores you. Do your best to steer the conversation into a different direction, and by “steer” I don’t mean end the conversation by telling people they are ridiculous.
A guy can e-mail Heraldo alleging someone has libeled him. Newspapers have a great deal of protection in a libel case if they issue a correction and update their website. I’m not so sure about bloggers. A blogger might not be responsible for anonymous comments, but if a comment is brought to her attention and she is informed of a claim of libel and refuses to remove the comment, hmm, there might be a credible court case there if the comment is indeed libelous — both against the blogger and the person who posted the comment.
(To clarify, truth is defense to libel. Heraldo doesn’t have to remove a comment because she received a libel claim… but if the claim turns out to be valid, watch out!)
Assuming you can find out who runs the blog to begin with.
Who tipped off the Times-Standard?
OK how about this?
It is ridiculous to believe that this lawsuit could have been kept secret for any longer than it did.
Like trying to plug Mt. St. Helens with a truckload of alfalfa.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Tyson probably wouldn’t waste his time worrying about libel on the blog. If stuff is true, he wouldn’t have a defense,and if it isn’t, he’ll still have his hands full with the other lawsuit. And his wife.
Hey Heraldo, I gotta commend you for your timing. Posting this just before the weekend gets the maximum exposure and response, since city employees can happily post away from computers that aren’t blocked. But I wonder how much city business will get done on Monday!
Walt @ 8:59,
You needn’t travel back in time to Franklin and Hearst, and you needn’t travel to alternate realities a la Fox.
The New York Times was the paper of choice for those who wanted to invade Iraq without any legal justification. It served its role well, and its “journalists” still get to go to the proper cocktail parties.
“You all talk like a secret could actually be kept in this town. I’m just surprised it took more than one day to get out.”
six degrees of separation in our world, 2-3 in Humboldt…
High Finance:
If Larry did indeed tip off Heraldo (and I have no way of knowing) how does that warrant a “criminal investigation?” Lawsuits are public record. How would Larry or anyone be committing an act worthy of a “criminal investigation” by telling someone else about something that is public record?
Yesterday you complained that anons who accused Tyson of boorish, possible illegal behavior are “cowards” because they don’t identify themselves. Yet you yourself are an anon and you defend your right to call out other anons because you perceive they have crossed some line that you claim you have not crossed. And here you are today, hiding behind your anonymous identity, suggesting that Larry Glass is guilty of an offense that warrants a “criminal investigation.”
You don’t think that makes you a hypocrite?
First of all, I sure hope that our city employees (at least the ones making over $30,000 a year or so) are smart enough to overcome a domain block of the Humboldt Herald. It can’t be that hard. If they aren’t smart enough then we have real problems unrelated to any of this.
Second, sometimes you wonder how much of the city’s business ever gets done compared to the ratio of Arkley’s business that gets done at City Hall. How much time of Tyson’s. the City Attorneys, and “staff” time has been burned up on the Marina Center deal in the last 3 years? How much has this all cost in real dollars? Is there a line item in the budget? Maybe Ogden can tell us.
That’s the bottom line of the Tyson administration.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
11:14,
I have some bad news for you…
It seems that some want the whole city of Eureka to be deposed. Dr. “Hack” is more like Dr. Hatchet and is having a hard time dealing with the current turn around. The court will sort it all out and then each side will celebrate or have a wake. Not all is known and so it will be interesting to watch it develop.
Bill: The city has a very big bill to hand over to Arkley and it will be interesting how long his check will take to get there. Hopefully it will be enough to pay off the potential upcoming lawsuit settlement.
Hi Fi: You are frothing at the mouth. Go get a rabies shot, because the Fox at fox has bitten you. You seem to be snapping at straws. Try flies, there is usually dead meat close by.
Hey! Bull Moose according to HiFi Glass doesn’t live in the City, there’s your real criminal investigation! Looks like the Tyson minions are trying to distract everyone away from the real issues.
Lawsuits are a matter of public session. Closed session discussions of said lawsuits are not a matter of public record.
I have no doubt that Larry has leaked closed session info to others, including this blog at various times; I’m sure most of council members have. They cant help themselves.
Wow … 157 comments and counting. Will this set a record?
There is nothing like sex to stimulate interest.
Standard operating procedure. Create a diversion like that silly accusation that Glass does not live in the city.
Bull, Bull Moose.
The city council knew about the lawsuit long before anybody in the media knew. Glass, as all city council members are, are governed by strict laws on the confidentialty of the closed session.
Since Heraldo scooped the Times Standard & Channel 3 by two days, it is not unreasonable to assume somebody leaked to him. It is reasonable that it had to be her attorney or somebody on the council. If it was somebody on the city council, it is reasonable that it was somebody that doesn’t like Tyson & can’t keep his mouth shut.
All the signs point to Glass.
ah remember those wonderful evenings at the Mayors restaurant sitting at bar getting shit face. It was all among friends, right? no one from the public ever saw us right? It’s hard to remember now.
High? finance how the hell do you know what the council knew and when they knew it. Married to someone on the inside or maybe your on the inside.
High Finance, you have not presented evidence that points to wrongdoing. Do you have any evidence that Heraldo wrote about anything that isn’t a matter of public record? No? Then STFU because you’re full of FUD.
I scooped the T-S by 2 days? HiFi must be a detective in real life.
High Finance,Everything Heraldo posted was true & public record. You on the the other hand, are just speculating about the leak. It could have been anyone at the courthouse or city hall. Nothing in this town stays quite for long! This one has nothing to do with Larry it’s all on Tyson. Whom ever leaked this info is from Tyson’s camp. Now set back & watch while the rats scurry off as his ship goes down in flames!
Who knew what when isn’t even relevant when you consider that Hansen isn’t bound by any secrecy laws and she could have shouted it from the rooftops.
The fact that this is public is a good thing. Whether or not the allegations are proved true, at least the old guard in this town knows that it probably isn’t going to be business as usual anymore and maybe public scrutiny will hold them accountable for their actions. I suspect that people at epd, and the ones who have left,are learning that. Mr Tyson,hopefully, is also.
Just a point of clarification. The city is covered by an insurance pool for any damages and attorneys’ fees unless there are punitive damages awarded against an individual.
They have not had a closed session since the lawsuit was filed therefore Larry couldn’t have leaked anything from something that never occurred.
Closed sessions must be noticed three days before they occur, except in an emergency, and state the reason – specific litigation, etc. This is from the government code. Look it up.
$1.4 million because you were uncomfortable at your work place and you dealt with some stress?
I can see seeking dismissal of a supervisor who let this behavior go on, and I can understand someone wanting to clear their name and have the guilty parties punished. However, I don’t see how $1.4 million solves either of those two problems. I can even see a few years of back pay while the victim finds a new job – but $1.4 million? It’s a stressful world, but we’d all be better off if we didn’t expect to profit every time we’re wronged. I just hope the lawyers shop local so we can all benefit…
From the T-S: The suit alleges that Hansen has suffered anxiety, anger, depression, irritability and loss of sleep as a result of the harassment, adding that she has lost 21 years of income — the balance of her working life — and potential earnings of $1.47 million.
That’s where the amount came from. If the allegations in the suit are proven, the city and Tyson should pay. I don’t claim to know what’s fair, but it sure is a big incentive not to let it happen again, whether that means educating Tyson or kicking his ass out the door.
She’s never going to be able to work again?
High Finance:
A lawsuit is a public record. Even if it was Larry, which you have no proof of, who informed Heraldo, there is no violation of anything. What part of public record do you not understand?
Oh, and yesterday you called anons who were accusing David Tyson cowards for not revealing their identity. Here you are today with a full-on accusation of Larry, hiding behind your anonymous identity. What does that make you? A hypocrite? A coward? Or both?
In this town? Maybe or maybe not, but I’m sure she probably would have wanted to stay where she was.
Just to stir up some people’s pots. When a civil petition is filed, it must also sent(noticed) to all the parties named as respondents. Could H. be one of those respondents? Now, go and talk amongst yourselves.
Given that Heraldo and the Journal broke the story the same hour late Friday afternoon, I’d guess:
1) The same tipster tipped both of them.
Or:
2) Some event transpired on Friday in which a group of people learned about the lawsuit and two individuals each tipped ’em.
Hank could settle this easily by just revealing his source. Hank didn’t report that he was using an anonymous source.
who cares?
Was this lawsuit supposed to be some kind of surprise? I suspect there where people standing by just to watch to see when it would drop. Somehow a vision of Hank Simms and Heraldo rushing to the phones to call in the ‘scoop’ comes to mind. Sort of like the Daily Planet, eh? As they always say, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t!”. (that’s ‘glass’ with a small ‘g’)
The Larry haters apparently care. I enjoy the discussion on a purely theoretical level. It doesn’t matter at all who e-mailed whom.
shows the mentality of the larry haters
If there was any question as to the mentality of the Larry haters, it was revealed when he pulled that poor woman out of the bay.
There is a lot of talk about this subject being brought forward in closed session. I thought the papers were just filed. Is their evidence to back this up? And as far as the Herald being tipped. The TS story was above the fold the next day. The only real advantage the Herald had was being able to publish the story on line. When the story broke they could put it up immediately and the TS had to wait for the presses to print it.
The Complaint is date stamped November 10, 2009.
What is going to take to make this clear?
The moment a lawsuit is filed at the Courthouse, it is public record. It doesn’t matter if the lawsuit is discussed in closed session of a City Council meeting. It is public record before, during and after closed session.
Why is this so hard for some people to grasp?
why does it even matter when it was filed, when the TS got it, when Heraldo got it, who told who, that’s what I don’t get!
Some people who are ignorant of what is and what is not public record are trying to accuse Larry Glass of tipping Heraldo and the media about something that was discussed in closed session. Councilmembers are not supposed to disclose details of what was discussed in closed session. Litigation is always discussed in closed session.
It doesn’t appear the City Council has held a closed session since the lawsuit was filed. However, the possibility of a lawsuit was probably discussed in previous closed sessions because Hansen filed a claim (I believe) with the City, which the City Council rejected. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Hansen is required to file such a claim before she can file a lawsuit.
But all that is moot. Once a lawsuit is filed, it is public record. It is available at the Courthouse for anyone who cares to photocopy it. Even if Larry did tip Heraldo and the media, it does violate any laws or rules.
Because when certain people are threatened by the direction of the conversation, they need to try to re frame it.
As stated above, Hansen’s claim was rejected by the city council on Sept. 1, and was clearly noted on the agenda.
That’s the way it works.
I thought so. I believe that is a legal requirement. You have to file a claim first. If that is rejected, then you can file a lawsuit.
Some of us appreciated reading a verified story the next day in the newspaper with quotes and everything. If you think you’re comparing apples to apples, it’s a sad day for our democracy because our democracy depends on a diligent free press.
Ahem. The above post had “quotes and everything.”
8:59,
You could have verified it yourself by accessing the actual court filing in .pdf form through the link on the North Coast Journal blog, it appeared within a hour of the drop on HH.
You are probably right about democracy but the best blogs are now part of the “diligent press” because sadly the traditional press barely rates higher than Congress in trustworthiness. Too much obeisance to the advertisers and corporate masters.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
What role was played in this by the Human Resources Director for the city? It is the head of the city’s personnel department that is charged with investigating all cases of sexual harassment or hostile environment in any city department once an allegation is made.
Did this person conduct an investigation? Did Tyson interfere with this investigation? Did the personnel director abuse the privacy of the complainant by talking to Tyson? What was the outcome of the investigation (if any) by the director of personnel?
Did the head of personnel at the time resign over this?
Questions, questions.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
This is really funny about going after people for “leaking” an already filed lawsuit, a matter of public record. Next we’ll have to go after people for “leaking” the publicly posted agendas of upcoming city and county meetings! (Hint: you can often find them at the public library….share their contents at your own risk….)
Then next we can go after people who call up somebody else to talk about something they just saw in the newspaper or heard on the radio news.
The possibilities for going after “leakers” of public information are endless!
Jesus Christ! Someone leaked my name and phone number and gave it to everyone in Humboldt County in something called a ‘phone book.’ I’m suing!
HiFi is full of shit and is trying to re-route the discussion from Tyson be a all-around douche-bag. Something tells me HiFi is trying to protect his ‘boy’. Maybe Tyson has spent as much time under HiFi’s desk as a ‘majority’ of the council.
gee….where is the coverage on the “Mirror”.
to Highboldtage, 1. The personnel director is hired by the city manager. 2. The personnel director therefore does what the boss (the city manager)tells him or her to do. 3. The personnel director at the time of the original Hansen complaint is no longer with the city, nor is the person who came after her. 4. The current personnel director is a crony of Tyson’s. There was no job search as has been the usual practice. (In fact,I don’t think this person’s resume even includes experience in human resources.)5. Expect that the city manager and his minions will probably cost the city a lot more money before this is over.
almost 200 posts! who says smut doesn’t sell
I say smut doesn’t sell. I’m not paying to read the Herald.
High Finance Says:
November 14, 2009 at 2:12 pm
High Finance Says:
November 15, 2009 at 10:04 am
Did the first personnel director leave in a dispute with Tyson over the way he was conducting these investigations? I guess we’ll find out when the case goes to trial. That personnel director would be at the top of my witness list. Next would be the second personnel director. Why did that one leave so abruptly?
Yes, 7:59 that was the point of my post last night. The personnel directors will be central to the outcome of the trial. Under the law, the personnel directors are charged with investigating sexual harassment issues, they are the “first responders” so to speak.
Did Tyson “bigfoot” the investigation in order to derail it? That is one question that must be asked.
Another point is, there will be a lot of pressure to settle this suit now. We need to make clear that if the suit is settled in favor of the plaintiff, that one of the conditions must be the removal of the current city manager, or the problems will simply persist to arise again.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
Bill I think you right on point here. The requested relief should include removal of anyone involved in this harassment and cover up. Starting at the top.
There is definitely a company town mentality in Eureka. The posts from people trying to degrade
Ms. Hanson is typical of this symdrone. The good
old boy network is incredible. The suit will bring a great of this out in the open. Expensive
yes. Worth it, yes. Allegedly, Mr. Tyson allowed
an abusive situation to continue for over a year.
He and the city attorney had an obligation to that
employee. Mr. Tyson has openly tried to get rid of the police chief, this is all tied in together.
Maybe, this suit will stop some of the disgusting
behind the scenes plotting.
yeah and maybe someday pigs will fly
I have made no post to degrade Ms. Hanson. Just noting the howling progy monkeys jumping all over Tyson with no proof. It is my belief that this suit is a political side run. If any laws where violated then those who broke them should be held to full account. That Tyson openly tried to get rid of the police chief is speculation at best and tying anything together is just in your mind.
I think they migrate this time of year. Keep looking up.
Does anyone besides me think that it’s a little fishy that Hansen’s lawyers were able to discover Wilson as the sender of the flowers while the city did not, and that might be proof of something?
Might be that given a years time and the ability to offer a reward it was a little easier. Hard to say, but the facts will come out I’m sure in the long run.
HumRed, I think the words “openly tried” in your 12:33 say it all. Hell, even I knew about it and I’m just a Mouse!
Who told what to whom, etc. Who cares. Did you miss the story about Mr. Tyson et.al. The rest is nice water cooler talk but has no relevance to the lawsuit. The question is whether someone has wandering hands and a vendetta.
Over 200 comments made by less than 20 commenters? Just saying. Many have some agenda.
I bet there are a lot more than 20 people interested in this story and commenting. And everyone has an agenda, some are just more open about it.
You can’t go out of town for a minute and a big old boil explodes. This is going to get very messy. I wonder how many employees at city hall are looking for a career change? We will have to keep count as they try to distance themselves. Who will be the first to bail?
Maybe they could all get jobs at Home Depot in Crtescent City. Oh boy oh boy!!!
Sorry CC. That’s Crescent City. My fat fingers don’t always fit on the keys!
In regards to Ms. Hanson’s investigation, at the very least, the city & Tyson were incompetent & derelict in their duty to solve this problem. Perhaps if Mr. Tyson had done his job to begin with, this case would have never gone to court to begin with. I’m not sure anyone knows how much this will wind up costing the city. But what ever amount it is, we can all thank Tyson for it. The man wasn’t taking care of business & that’s what he paid for. As far as the sexual misconduct goes, we will have to wait & see. But the derelict to duty is enough to give him his walking papers and walking papers to whomever else knew about this & did nothing about it.
Bottom line, this city can not afford people like this working for us.
Maybe someone will get the greeter job at walmart. This could put a lot of upward pressure on the housing market in Crescent City.
How do we fire this SOB??????
I thought today the TS would have an article interviewing at least the city attorney regarding this matter. But nothing. WHY?
Dee Dee Wilson & her sister & Tyson – I don’t know It doesn’t look good for Tyson. I hope his lawyer is better at their job than Tyson is.
I like Dave Tyson and think he is a good person, who has done a very good job. I am kind of sickened by the comments of those who have never met him.
Most likely the city attorney has lawyered up herself, dontcha think?
Isn’t it clear that alcohol has severely impacted Eureka’s government? Next time you go to a city council meeting you need to know that there are several serious alcoholics staring back at you from the “government” side of the room. Some of them are elected and some of them are just city employees.
Not a knock on all city employees, vast majority of them are sober, but let’s face the truth.
Tyson hasn’t made an appearance at tonight’s meeting yet.
There he is, just 20 minutes late.
Heraldo
Still haven’t answered my question about the “threatened” lawsuit. Remember Gans etc? What is it about? Tyson is a distraction.
I promise to post it when it’s filed.
I’m sickened by anyone not speculating about this story. Please post more messed up gossip, I’d appreciate it.
We know that there was somethig going on due to the lawsuit filed against Wilson by Hanson. If Mr. Tyson failed to take quick action as soon as he had knowledge of the lawsuit, he failed as a City Manager.
An investigation should have been done of the situation and handled immediately. THIS WAS NOT DONE!!! As far as the sexual harrasment goes the law is very clear on that one. If it is proven it is GOOD-BY MR.T
There was an investigation. Tawnie is alleging that actually broadening the scope of the investigation was hurting her.
All this speculation of what was “NOT DONE!!!”, or who is or isnt a predator after a couple of drinks is just as childish and sick as the demented defunct above the law blog.
To clarify, the lawsuit doesn’t say anything about predatory behavior after alcohol consumption.
Yes, true, Heraldo – it’s the rampant speculation here on the blog.
Hells bells, I think I’ll have a drink – this could be the end!
man, to be a fly on the wall at the City Council closed session tonight! hee hee
It all sounds like an HBO series, lots of sex, intrigue, back room power plays. I hope someone is taking notes. We will call it “Getting off on 101”.
To clarify, this is clearly about not getting off. Which may have led to frustration, jealousy and other high school drama that will look funny in front of a jury.
I asked my hairdresser, “What do you think of the scandal?”
My hairdresser said, “Which scandal?”
Getting off did not refer to having the case dismissed and more about hanky panky.
Geez… all the interesting stuff happens when I’m on vacation.
Has Garr Nielsen lost control of the EPD? It seems like the chief architect of last year’s cop revolt does what ever he wants to do. How does it work? Does Tyson just pick up the phone, call up Murl and the dirty work gets done? Why is Murl still have a job after slandering the Chief and lots of other good people?
We are living in a very corrupt little town folks, and some of the most corrupt among us are carrying guns.
It is time for Nielsen to get control of the situation.
The Police Chief works for…..wait for it…………
Dave Tyson! Dave Tyson works for the City Council, change the city council who changes the manager……
then you have real change.