Judge throws out
wrongful termination case against Vermont cable station

A Vermont superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a former director of embattled Brattleboro Community Television, ruling that there was no evidence she was fired because she is a lesbian. The board of BCTV voted 6-1 in July 2003 against renewing Robin Chaia Mide's contract as executive director, and she filed a lawsuit in which she claimed, among other charges, that she was discriminated against because of her sexual orientation. But Windham superior court judge John P. Wesley ruled that Mide could not produce evidence to support her claims, so the charges were dismissed. "That's theoretically the end of it," said BCTV lawyer John Mabie. Mide's attorney, Norman Watts, said he interpreted the facts differently but respected Wesley as a thorough judge. Mide said she "strongly disagrees with the decision" but has no plans to appeal to the Vermont supreme court. "I'm really glad the people who gave me such a hard time have been voted off the board," she said. "If my case at all facilitated that, then I feel like I won." Although recent turmoil was not connected to Mide's dismissal, the board has had a nearly complete turnover since she worked there. Over the summer political and personal conflicts resulted in a number of resignations. Tim Lindop, who replaced Mide as BCTV's executive director, did not have his contract renewed. While the station searches for a permanent executive director, board member Mike Billingsley is serving as the interim manager. (AP)