Fired clerk may get her job back

POTSDAM — Ousted senior Village Court Clerk Shelley A. Warner could be reinstated to her former position, according to Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler.

Ms. Warner was fired from her job Aug. 25, allegedly for insubordination. She was fired the same day she was quoted in a local newspaper article in which she voiced concerns over workplace safety at the Civic Center.

Ms. Warner since has taken legal action over her firing, claiming her right to free speech has been violated.

Mr. Tischler said Wednesday he would not have a problem hiring Ms. Warner back if lawyers representing the village offered that recommendation, and a majority of the village board agreed.

"It may come down to not having much of a choice," Mr. Tischler said. "That pretty much is the bottom line. I mean, based on the facts, the recommendations and the amount of money involved, it could be foolish to just try to drag it out."

Mr. Tischler's comments came one week after trustees and Village Administrator Michael D. Weil met behind closed doors with village Attorney Andrew W. Silver and held a conference call with legal counsel for the village's insurance carrier, New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal.

Village officials have become increasingly concerned about their ability to win a case against Ms. Warner in court. Concerns voiced by village attorneys reportedly include the timing of Ms. Warner's firing, a lack of any letters of reprimand in her personnel file after 15 years on the job and the ultimate financial cost to taxpayers should the village lose its case.

Ms. Warner is seeking reinstatement to her job with back pay and benefits.