Monday, October 12, 2015

WHAT HAPPENS IN LAS VEGAS - DOESN"T ALWAYS STAY IN LAS VEGAS

At least it didn't when it involved Fort Erie's Ward 3 Councillor Kimberly Zanko. When someone named FE Taxpayer commented about a court case in Washington State involving Zim Zanko, I thought that it must be another person by the same name. Upon further information provided by a reader named Che, I was able to read the case and the judge's decision and it did involve our local councillor and another woman who worked for the same customs broker as Zanko. The two ladies were in Las Vegas helping set up a trade show hospitality suite. And trouble ensued.

The link to the case is HERE. If you care to read the whole thing, it's pretty much a case of a man gone wild at a trade show in Las Vegas who later lost his job and decided to play victim in a S.L.A.P.P. lawsuit. (Editor's Note: a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation which is, according to one definition is"is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit.") Now, I do know a thing or two (actually three) things about such lawsuits. I was sued for slander to shut me up and there are two conflict of interest lawsuits against former councillors and a sitting councillor that definitely fit the criteria for a S.L.A.P.P.)

It would seem that Zanko and her friend were upset and embarrassed by a dickwad from the Washington State affiliate of the company they worked for when he suggested that they use their female charms to sign up new clients. According to them, he was heavily intoxicated at the time and he may have been confused over the part the women played in the proceedings. He merely acted in the time-honoured way that many men behave at out-of-town conventions - like an asshole who never went to university and thus missed the frat parties and Homecoming celebrations where such behaviour was encouraged, nay welcomed. (See Animal House for reference.)

Later, back in his home office, he was falling way behind in his work and not producing well, so he was fired, according to management. He tried to throw Zanko and her friend under the bus by claiming they did "work the room" and he claimed to have overheard them discussing it. Oops. That brought the two ladies out and they were "upset" to say the least.

Really, girls. In this day and age, you are "upset" about a drunk's behaviour in Las Vegas? Cry me a river. Let me tell you something about sexual harassment as it was back in my day. Ever see Mad Men?  Back when I was first in the workforce, sexual harassment was the norm in many workplaces. Some turned it around and advanced, using their sexual skills to move up the corporate ladder (to private secretary) Others were fired or demoted if they did not co-operate with the usual all-male establishment. I once did a paper on exactly this when I took courses from Cornell. It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice and better legislation to enable women to get good-paying jobs that they did not have to trade sexual favours in order to receive. The guy in the lawsuit was grasping at straws to save his job and the "girls" (I call them that because they behaved like silly girls, IMHO) handled it all wrong. Sometimes, we need to have brass tits in this big bad world. A drunken a-hole is no match for a couple of gals with brains. 

Guess Zanko and friend left their brains at Customs when they came to Las Vegas. They showed a decided lack of creativity, especially in this age of wireless phones that take pictures and videos. That's my opinion. What do you think?

Note: Since I re-read the entire case, it would seem that Zanko and friend were trying to cover their asses by filing the suit against their former colleague. Since Zanko has a long history of being "window dressing" there may be a whole lot more to the story, but you'll never get the straight poop from either of the two women.

19 comments:

  1. I have read what you wrote about this and it appears your discussion is only based on reading the brief filed by Zanko. There is also an Appellants Brief which should be read which speaks to Zanko's credibility. (in my opinion) Also, it looks like Zanko had to pay some court costs. In order to give an opinion both documents filed by each party should be read. This is the link: http://www.courts.wa.gov/content/Briefs/A01/694448%20Appellant's.pdf#search=kim zanko

    ReplyDelete
  2. while I am definitely no lover of Ms Zanko as head cheerleader of the ol boys investment club (who believe it is their right to screw the town for their bank accounts), is this not on the edge of cheap gossip?? She has proved herself not over endowed in the intellect department already, so I am not sure what the point of this thread is. For that matter her ward is not over endowed with smarts either for putting her in power over someone of Sue Salzer's stature. IMHO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I kinda of thought the same, but it does show her lack of integrity.

      Delete
    2. there is no doubt that she is short on integrity but she pales in comparison to that other chambermaid The Butt. In FE short on integrity is deemed ok because there is so much worse than that going on. How's that 10 million $$ lawsuit going I wonder. You know the 1 designed to run 4 good men of conscience working for the good of everyone out of office. You were suckered FE now you will pay. 9% tax increase already with at least 6% more coming and they aint done yet. I actually thought that the 10 mil lawsuit was so transparent that the voter would see right through that cheap parlor trick. I really over estimated voter intellect here. There is almost no bottom to what the ol boys investment club will stoop too and the average dumbed down voter sucks all their lies up and pays pays pays. Politics 101 in Fort Stupid where working the greater good will get you sued, slandered and ostracized...

      Delete
    3. According to the latest court decision, Whitfield will only have to pay $30,000. for destroying the reputations of four good men. Town insurance may cover the rest of the cost of the destruction.

      Delete
    4. Sharon, don't forget Whitfield has to pay Hurren too so add the 30,000.00 to his fees and the insurance company may decide to go after Tim for what they have to give back to the four. It ain't over yet.

      Delete
  3. Kim Zanko was the spokesperson on record on behalf of that Citizens Group that supported the Molinaro Developers. That same group that put out the vicious flyer with the same billboard picture of a child on an unblemished beach. That same group that would not identify who they were.
    She was wise enough to distance herself publicly from that group, not to say she still doesn't belong.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The "what stays in Vegas" stuff was to help people be comfortable with losing a bunch of money and not having to bring it up when they get back. So far, haven't needed catch phrases for the parade of losers at the Falls casinos or the horse track...yet. But lotterys use "hey, you never know" (read: hey, you never win), and that's worked pretty good too. Losers, you gotts love em. No names mentioned, but this last bit of news sure fits the bill.

    ReplyDelete
  5. $30,000.00 is not a bad rate to rig an election.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. agreed , not even beer money to some of the insider's club who would consider this a cheap insurance policy.

      Delete
  6. Tim would have received that amount and more in payments for being on council. So he gives most of it back. Poetic justice? The insiders can make up for most of that with a few horse tips for Mr. Witt in the future. Remember these guys have the inside track on odds and past performances and might want to throw the Tim a bone or two to soften the wrath of the court cost "problem". Besides such a patsy might be usefull in future. Not to mention what he might know and could be more than a little em-bare-ass-sing to past supporters. As Tim has "probly figured out" by now its never really over with these guys, just a little unpredictable, and not in a good way.

    ReplyDelete
  7. amazing how quiet it is these days with the ol boys investment club screwing the town over once again for their personal benefit. Taxes going UP UP UP.....money flying out of the town coffers to prop up foreign billionaire track owners with their over paid local mouthpiece and we are all waiting for the sky to fall with the (BS) 10 million$$$$$ lawsuit. Oh wait, it's been dropped as it has done it's job of destroying 4 good men of conscience from working for the greater good. That's ALL the people not just Greg Bonito's special interest (read ol boy club) , that had him spewing constant lies so he can have a place with the so called cool kids at lunch.

    Things are back to the old considered norm in Fort Stupid. All is quiet as the insider few profit and the rest, many who can hardly pay their bills.....PAY TO KEEP THE FE ELITE RICH AND IN POWER and the main stream local press is always there to promote this criminal charade for a beer and a pat on the back at the club.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, it is quiet and Fort Erie is now going to be screwed on a national level as a result of the Liberal Sweep. Even Port Colborne/Welland (Yay Badaway) and St. Catharines went with the tide, but not Niagara/Fort Erie. Stupid voters, loyal to a party that has done little for the average people. Extreme;y high unemployment; high taxes; little services and yet voters still kept the Conservative in. All those people who vote for the Tories because their family always voted for Conservatives will now really be out of the federal loop. Frankly,I am looking forward to watching Nicholson work hard to remain relevant. Maybe he'll be the next party leader but that won't help the average person. Not at all

    The Four are awaiting the final settlement which will probably repay them for monies spent but it will not repay them for the destruction of their reputations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FYI, high unemployment; high taxes; little services is mostly because of our Provincial Liberal and Municipal Governments, Not Federal.

      Delete
  9. I doubt if Fort Erie will get much in goodies from the Liberals , especially as the
    Town is run by Chamber of Commerce, Conservatives, also after the human wrecking ball (Dougie) left behind a basket case of a Town, how much clout will JT have, none, nada .billions will be spent on reconstruction of Canada,s neglected roads , bridges, transportation . where will our Town fit in. do we have any body viable to go to bat for us.?? Don Lubberts was the only guy to back a winner, this federal election the rest have egg on their faces. outnumbered on council his voice will continue to be stilled. start praying for a miracle folks. they are hard to come by.!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn't mean that feds were responsible but Fort Erie will not be getting much help from the feds in that regard. Nicholson has done little anyways to help yjis riding, IMHO. To me, he is merely a grandstanding, empty suit.

      Delete
  10. I heard that an article has been repeated from The Post in The Times. It was written by William Miller slamming the Master Plans for Bay Beach. I don't think he even attended any group discussions because it wasn't as he wrote in his article.
    It was well advertised that everyone is welcome to come and make suggestions.

    Is he the same Mr. Miller that backed martin's nuisance lawsuit and also donated to his campaign? Oh, I think I get it.

    Here's a joke, I had wondered why the ball was getting larger. Then it hit me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The area voted in old Rob the Nik because if theres one thing folks are good at here is maintaining the status quo. Makes one wonder what was going on behind the scenes that this small time player held three of the most high profile posts in the federal cabinet. Well, the "iron thumb" of Adolf Harper is lifted. At least for now. Lets hope the new leaders in Ottawa can undo some of the waste and damage that was done over the last 9 years. We can only hope the same could be said for the local government here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe it is time for local people to start getting ready for the 2018 local election. It is doubtful that Redekop will run for re-election and the danger of Stephen Passero is very real, lurking, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting voters. A slate of brave citizens should be formed and those brave souls should be backed as well as warned that they will be subject to incredible pressure and dirty tricks (see lawsuit against The Four.) The good people have to not give up; they must hold the present council's feet to the fire and work to make people like Marina Butler a one-term councillor.

      Delete

This blog no longer publishes Anonymous comments. Just use a nickname and comments will be considered.To use a nickname, please fill in the area of "Name/URL" with your nickname, It is not necessary to fill in the URL portion.

PAST ISSUES