Oct.

27, 2000
Candidate sues board he's running for
Ex-SWCD manager says he would bring 'professionalism'
By Jacqueline Palfy
The Post-Bulletin
Attorneys for both sides are expected to present briefings Nov. 6
on a motion for dismissal of a case filed by former Olmsted County
Soil and Water District Manager Steven Connelly against members of the
board that employed him.
And on Nov. 7, voters will decide whether Connelly will take a
seat on the board he is suing. Connelly is running against William
Fritts in the race for District 4 supervisor. Fritts is named in the
lawsuit filed by Connelly in November 1999. The board implements
measures to improve water quality and to help reduce soil erosion.
The lawsuit centers around Connelly's dismissal and alleges that
the board developed a hostile attitude against him in 1998 after he
protested closed meetings of the board. He is suing for breach of
contract, violation of open meetings, and defamation and violation of
the state human rights act, among other things. Connelly held the
position for more than three years.
Connelly is asking to be reinstated as district manager and for
more than $50,000 for each complaint in his case. Named in the suit
are Soil and Water Conservation commissioners Kimm Crawford, Gary
Oldenburg, Fritts and Stephen Nigon.
Connelly's attorney, Joe Schmitt, of Minneapolis, said it is not
considered a conflict of interest for Connelly to seek a position on
the board he is suing.
"Obviously, he has strong opinions about people on the board," Schmitt said.
But Schmitt said that if Connelly wins the election, that issue
might have to be addressed.
Connelly said he wants to change the way the board operates.
"I want to see a level of professionalism come to this board,"
Connelly said.
There have been several suits against the board, he said.
Elections for the board don't normally generate much interest or
participation, partly because the positions are unpaid.
This year, four people are running for two seats on the
five-member board, and Fritts said he would not have run for
re-election if the lawsuit were not pending.
"But I believe so strongly," Fritts said. "You don't run in a firefight."
Fritts said he has strong backing and is not worried about facing
Connelly in the election.
"I think we're all a little dumbfounded and appalled that you were
suing something and then trying to get elected for it," Fritts said.
"The last thing I want to do is get in any contest personally with
Connelly."

 Connelly said his degrees and experience make him qualified for the job.
He said facing Fritts doesn't worry him.
"I've worked the intricacies of managing that position for more
than four years," Connelly said.