A breach of contract suit that has already cost the city of Española approximately $43,000 in legal fees, will continue after the city’s motion to dismiss the case was denied Sept. 26 in state District Court.
Gene Aldaz, a former city detention director, filed the suit in November 2007. He worked for the city for 21 years and retired in March 2007. The suit claims that the city did not allow Aldaz to use the “Early Out” program. The program would have allowed Aldaz to collect sick and annual leave between March 16, 2007, and September 19, 2007, with his official retirement date being Sept. 19, 2007. Then-city manager Gus Cordova approved Aldaz’s request to utilize the “Early Out Time,” but the city refused to pay Aldaz $28,845.60 for sick and annual leave he had accrued, the suit claims. Documents indicate the city has already paid $4,300 in legal fees to the Rodey Law Firm to represent the city in the suit. The case is set for trial Oct. 20.
SUN Staff Report
A 2-year-old child struck by a car Sunday escaped serious injury, according to Española Police.
Kane Dominguez was playing on the sidewalk at Las Lomas Apartments when Sasha Alire, 18, was driving out of the complex, Española Police Sgt. Christian Lopez said. Dominguez ran in front of the car and was struck with the right front wheel, he said.
“He had a tire mark on his back covering the right portion, from his lower back to behind his right ear,” Lopez said.
Dominguez did not get stuck under the wheel and ran back into his house where he collapsed in front of his mother, Monique Dominguez. He was followed by Alire, who told the mother what had happened.
The child suffered scrapes and bruises, but apparently avoided serious injury, Lopez said.
Lopez’s investigation determined Alire was not at fault, and had not been speeding when Dominguez was struck, he said.