Woodwinds on Accusations of Employee Being Told to Destroy Records: Never Happened

A former patient advocate at the Woodbury hospital said she was told to destroy documents, according to a Star Tribune story.

A former employee at Woodwinds Hospital claims she was told to destroy notes and emails that could mar the hospital’s reputation, according to a Star Tribune story. In a federal lawsuit, Barbara Peterson, who worked as a patient advocate at the Woodbury facility before she was fired in 2010, says she was told to “remove or destroy” documentation that might paint the hospital in a bad light, the Star Tribune reports. One allegation says a doctor was drunk while delivering a baby. She also took more than 200 pages of confidential patient files and refuses to return them, the story says. Woodwinds officials provided Patch with a statement about the lawsuit. “We have conducted a thorough investigation and determined clearly that Ms. Peterson …

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Forced to Choose: Military or Career?

Woodbury High School graduate Nicole Mitchell has filed a lawsuit against the Weather Channel claiming her contract wasn’t renewed because of her military service.

The conditions facing veterans returning to the job market has been well documented in the media. But what about current military members who are seemingly forced to choose between their service and their career? Woodbury High School graduate Nicole Mitchell in the summer of 2011 filed a lawsuit against the Weather Channel alleging the network did not renew her contract because of her duties in the Air Force Reserves. Mitchell, formerly an on-air meteorologist with the Weather Channel, has come forward with her case and is trying to raise awareness of her situation and the difficulties for military members during the arbitration process. “This does happen a lot,” she said. “You don’t hear a lot of people talking about it.” Mitchell, 37, a …

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School Board Approves New Superintendent’s Contract

Dr. Keith Jacobus will be paid a salary of $178,000 (with a 2.25 percent increase each of the next two years), a $500 monthly car allowance and five weeks of vacation.

The South Washington County School Board last week approved a three-year contract for its new administrative leader. Dr. Keith Jacobus, set to take over as District 833 superintendent on July 1, replaces Mark Porter, who recently settled a contract dispute that prevents him from filing a lawsuit against the district, according to a report. Pending final approval by Jacobus, the new superintendent will be paid a salary of $178,000 (with a 2.25 percent increase each of the next two years), a $500 monthly car allowance and five weeks of vacation, according to a release from District 833. “I couldn’t be more pleased. I am so excited to join the district. My time throughout the interview process solidified my belief that South Washington County…

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Link: CityWalk Developer, Builder Faces Lawsuit

The suit claims poor workmanship will pose future problems for the Woodbury development.

News From the Woodbury City Council

Council members didn’t discuss anything at length during last week’s meeting, but did take action on a few matters.

In a relatively brisk meeting last week, the Woodbury City Council revised its environmental ordinance, heard about the likelihood of reduced federal dollars for a loan program and announced that Woodbury will not intervene in the state’s lawsuit against 3M regarding groundwater contamination. Environmental Management Ordinance The council voted 4-1 to make a few changes to its environmental-management ordinance, with a few changes that were sparked by comments from a community meeting held in early February. Councilman Christopher Burns voted against the changes, most of which relate to buffers for wetlands and tree removal. Burns, who attended the community meeting, said he would have done some things differently but didn’t elaborate …

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State Files Lawsuit Against 3M for Chemicals Found in Washington County Groundwater

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) have been found in Woodbury water but remain below hazardous levels.

Attorney General Lori Swanson on Thursday filed a lawsuit against 3M Co. in hopes that the manufacturing giant will pay the state for damages relating to its disposal of chemicals found in Washington County groundwater. "3M polluted and damaged our waters with these chemicals. The lawsuit asks the company to make right the problems caused by its contamination of our waters," Swanson said in a statement. Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) have been found in groundwater in Woodbury, Oakdale, Lake Elmo and Cottage Grove. Elevated levels of the chemicals has been linked to problems with the liver and pancreas. While the chemicals have been found in Woodbury's water supply, city officials say they have remained below hazardous levels. Woodbury Mayor …

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