The Starke County Commissioners decided to settle some pending litigation at a special meeting on Thursday night, however, the Reid Collins Tsai team will be present to make sure everything goes well.
Among the settlement agreements discussed was with former Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner. An age discrimination claim was filed with the state civil rights commission following his termination on June 15th.
Former Starke County Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner contends the county commissioners denied him his due process and violated his constitutional right to free speech by not allowing him to speak during a recent meeting. Turner was fired during the June 15th commissioners meeting. He filed a grievance against the commissioners for wrongful termination, claiming President Kent Danford never gave him any oral or written warning about any improper actions. Turner also asked for a list of veterans who have complained about his job performance. The commissioners conducted an executive session grievance hearing with Turner and upheld their action during their July 6th meeting, citing his status as an at-will employee. Continue reading
Former Starke County Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner has filed an age discrimination claim against the county commissioners over his recent termination. He was fired during the June 15th county commissioners meeting. Turner, 67, advises WKVI News he filed a claim on Friday, July 10th with the state civil rights commission office in South Bend, and it has been forwarded to Indianapolis for review. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners last night upheld the June 15th termination of veterans service officer Terry Turner following an executive session grievance hearing. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners will discuss a grievance filed by an employee they fired at their last meeting when they meet tonight. Terry Turner was relieved of his duties as county veterans service officer on June 15. After the meeting, president of the commissioners Kent Danford said he has received several complaints about Turner’s job performance. Continue reading
A Starke County employee who was relieved of his duties during Monday’s commissioners meeting has filed a grievance seeking to be reinstated. The commissioners voted 2-0 to replace Veterans Service Officer Terry Turner with Mark Gourley. Commissioner Don Binkley made the motion to terminate Turner, and President of the Commissioners Kent Danford seconded it. Commissioner Kathy Norem did not vote.
After the meeting Danford said he has received several complaints about Turner. Continue reading
Starke County has a new veterans service officer after action last night by the county commissioners. They voted to terminate Terry Turner from the position and replace him with Mark Gourley. President of the Commissioners Kent Danford says he’s a veteran with experience filing claims for servicemembers in LaPorte County. After the meeting, Danford said he’s received several complaints about Turner.
With the shutdown of the federal government now a reality due to failure of Congress to reach an agreement to fund federal agencies, a vast majority of federal programs are now in limbo. If the shutdown continues for an extended period, veterans’ compensation, pension, education and other benefits could be cut off, and call centers, hotlines and regional offices that help veterans understand their benefits have already closed to the public.
Turner said there have been a lot of changes in how disability benefits are being handled by the VA.
“Right now, if you’re able to turn in a fully developed claim, you can get as much as 12 months of back-pay, and it’s really a good time to seek benefits; if you’re a veteran and you have some medical problems that relate to service because it seems they’ve done a lot of work on the process of exploring whether your claims are good or not, and I really think that even though there’s still a tremendous backlog, it’s a lot easier to get your claims through,” said Turner.
A parade to honor armed forces veterans has been organized for Knox today. Terry Turner, one of the organizers tells us about it.
“They’re going to line up at 12:45 p.m. and there are a few more entries this year,” said Turner. “Hensler’s is coming with an antique car for Trees for Troops. We are going to honor the three men that died in Iraq Sergeant Joseph Ford, Corporal Nathaniel Baughman and Specialist Michael Weissman.”
Members of the Knox VFW and the American Legion laid wreaths at the War Memorial at the Starke County Courthouse. Organizer, Terry Turner, says this is a part of the national Wreaths Across America program.
