[POLL] Shew Drops Appeal; French to Write Letter of Recommendation

Corporation Counsel Kristin Wilson told the Rye City Council that an agreement with former city manager Paul Shew is near completion.

Shew has agreed to file a stipulation of discontinuance precluding him from filing further court appeals and Mayor Doug French will write a letter of recommendation for Shew. 

Shew was apparently intending to appeal the dismissal of his breach of contract and defamation lawsuit last August. The former city manager was suspended in March 2009 and resigned weeks later. Shew was a finalist for a town manager position in Palmer, MA last August. 

Shew was city manager during the tenure of former Rye Mayor Steve Otis. Otis is currently running for the New York State Assembly.

"At the end of the day, he requested of the Mayor a letter of recommendation based on his experience with [Shew] prior to when [French] was the mayor, but when you were Recreation Superintendent" corporation counsel Kristen Wilson told city council members. "That was agreed upon as part of the resolution of this matter, really as the result of that agreement which really doesn't require City Council approval. It was an agreement between Mayor French and Mr. Shew."

"Mr. Shew has decided, or is willing to withdraw his pending appeal. It's a stipulation with prejudice, he cannot refile," continued Wilson.

Councilman Joe Sack corrected Wilson who initially referred to signing an "agreement of settlement" with Shew. Councilwoman Laura Brett asked Wilson why the City of Rye would be asked to sign the stipulation at all since Shew would necessarily file it. Wilson said, "The way that they've drafted it, they've asked me to sign it on behalf of the city."

After a vote of 7-0 authorizing Wilson to sign the stipulation, French said, "I'm glad we were able to put this matter to a close. Paul served this city well."