James C. Casey, Esq., the attorney for the former North Miami Beach City Attorney Darcee Siegel, threw down the gauntlet when he fired off a letter to Mayor George Vallejo on February 20, 2014.

According to this letter, Mr. Casey claims that the City of North Miami Beach must pay:

1. Darcee’s wages until the end of her contract, which expires September 30, 2014.
2. The regular severance pay for 12 weeks and the additional 8 weeks of “discretionary” severance pay.
3. A 10% cost of living increase due her from her 2008-2009 contract, which she deferred at the time.
4. Dental, Health, Life and Disability insurance through the end of her contract, plus life time Health and Dental after that.
5. All accrued but unpaid accumulated leave time (sick, vacation, etc.).
6. All other things in her contract not mentioned above.
7. His attorney’s fees.

Accepting the challenge, Robert L. Norton, Esq., the City’s outside labor attorney, responded today with a letter to Interim City Attorney Dotie Joseph, Esq., as follows:

1. No freaking way!
2. Darcee gets the mandatory 12 weeks’ pay, but the City decides if she gets the extra 8 weeks.
3. No freaking way!
4. Darcee can keep her Health and Dental if she pays 20% of the premium, but as to Life and Disability:  No freaking way!
5. Okay, yeah, she gets that.
6. No clue what this means.
7. No freaking way!

The two lawyers will “reach out” to each other to see if they can “resolve this matter amicably.”

Ben Kuehne was not invited to the party.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”