Citizens Protest Cop-Lighthouse Lawsuit
By Sue Clark on Jan 8, 2008 in Featured, Opinion 
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Board Can’t Do Anything
The Daily Freeman has released an updated story on the lawsuit filed by Saugerties police officer Sydney Mills adn his wife Amy. Fifty people attended the Village Board meeting on Monday, January 7, but were told by the Board and Mayor that they can’t really do anything, as it’s a civil matter, not a village board matter. Calls for firing the officer were met with a refusal by mayor Robert Yerick, who said the Board is limited in what they can do, since the officer has the right to sue, but they can share information, even though they can’t take sides.
Residents Protest
Some residents questioned the facts of the alleged incident, as it was highly unlikely there would be a “boater in distress” call on the frozen Hudson River in February, when the alleged fall took place. Another citizen claimed she is 65 ears old, prone to falling, and has never feared walking the lighthouse trail in any sort of weather because it’s safe. A former police officer for the village stated that “the lighthouse has insurance; let the attorneys handle it.”
Therein Lies the Problem
Apparently, the former cop mentioned above just doesn’t get it. The fact the lighthouse has insurance, which will probably be cancelled afterward, or at least made so restrictive and expensive that it will be cost prohibitive for the Lighthouse Conservancy is not the point. If this lawsuit goes forward, and some misguided jury allows him damages, it will be a big mistake. And it will certainly make insurance tougher to get for any other non-profit group protecting lighthouses and providing public access to them.
What Are the Damages Here?
Officer Mills claims in the suit that he fell on the trail while responding to the call on February 25, 2007, and “sustained severe and disabling injuries” that he claims are permanent and cause “substantial pain.” He alleges that the cause of this fall was because the Lighthouse Conservancy failed to properly maintain the trail and to warn users of the “dangerous and defective condition of the nature trail.” He was paid Workmen’s Compensation for the injuries and has since returned to work full time. His wife, Amy, is a party to this suit because she alleges this injury deprived her of “the support of her husband.”
I honestly believe this lawsuit has no merit, and have to wonder about this cop’s motivations. If he is so permanently in pain, why has he returned to work? And knowing that Workmen’s Compensation provides a good portion of your pay, how can his wife claim that she was deprived of his support? Something is not right here, and I hope this lawsuit is dismissed as being without merit. As one commenter at the Daily Freeman said,
Kudos!! You are a real community minded individual! Nothing like causing this community group to go potentially bankrupt or have the trail shut down to the public, thanks for protecting and serving us!!
While that may seem a little harsh, I certainly also hope this cop rethinks his suit.
Photo Credit: Saugerties Lighthouse in Winter by Matia M on Flickr - Creative Commons License
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More About Lighthouse Lawsuit
- Lighthouse Group Sued By Cop
- Citizens Protest Cop-Lighthouse Lawsuit
