Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • April 17, 2013 Ho-Ho-Kus lawsuit (continued from page 3) effects caused by the cancer and/or cancer treatments,” the suit states. The document further states that all of the members of the department, including Chief Wanamaker and Lieutenant Pattman were aware that Tiernan had undergone cancer surgery. The suit also states that Bodart, who is under 40, was offered the title of assistant detective five years ago and offered the detective’s title in 2010. Tiernan’s suit says he was never offered the rank or position of assistant detective or detective despite his seniority and qualifications. LaCroix is 10 years younger than Tiernan, the suit adds, and has been a patrolman for eight years. “Neither Bodart nor LaCroix had the superior qualifications, experience, or seniority that (Tiernan) had for the promotion to sergeant,” the suit states. Tiernan’s suit also claims Bodart does not have the credentials necessary to be promoted. “According to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Manual of Rules and Regulations, in order to be considered for the rank of sergeant, the candidate has to be a high school graduate and a graduate of a two year community college program preferably in law enforcement (officers hired prior to 1996 are exempt from this requirement),” the suit states. “Upon information and belief, Jamie Bodart, who is younger than 40 years of age, did not have a two year college degree and therefore did not have the qualifications to even be considered for the promotion to sergeant (since he was not exempt from that promotion criteria).” Villadom TIMES attempted to ascertain whether Bodart holds a college degree, but borough officials declined to comment due to the pending litigation. In January 2013, Villadom TIMES requested an official biography for Bodart, and Chief Wanamaker supplied the following information on Jan. 11: “Jaime Bodart started his career as a dispatcher in Ho-Ho-Kus in 1994. In 2000, he was hired as a police officer and attended The Bergen County Police Academy. In 2011, Sergeant Bodart was assigned to the detective bureau where he had been until his promotion earlier this week. Sergeant Bodart was born in Waldwick, NJ, and attended Don Bosco Prep. HS, Bergen Community College and New Jersey City University.” The suit states, “When (Tiernan) asked why he was not promoted to the rank of sergeant despite having served in that position…Chief Wanamaker told (Tiernan) it is because he ‘goes home’ too much.” Tiernan’s suit states that he goes home in order to care for his personal grooming, which is required as a result of the side effects of the prostate cancer surgery. According to the suit, “The trips ‘home’ are limited to (Tiernan’s) breaks and do not interfere with (Tiernan’s) work performance or limit his work performance in any way but the comment by the chief was directly related and critical of (Tiernan) due to his disability or perceived disability.” The suit claims Pattman “was also known for having made comments related to (Tiernan) and his personal hygiene by making an inappropriate comment about the side effects of the surgery and the personal grooming needs of (Tiernan).” The suit also states that the lieutenant made comments about Tiernan’s age. In addition, the complaint states that “another officer who was alleged to have committed serious wrongdoing, who is also younger than 40 years of age, was recently given the title of assistant detective. (Tiernan) was never offered or considered for the title of detective at any point in time despite his superior qualifications.” Tiernan’s suit claims, “The employer knew that one of the officers promoted to the rank of sergeant did not meet the promotion criteria and should not have been considered for the promotion and despite this fact, that officer, who is not in the protected class of age was promoted. The employer was also aware of the wrongdoing of the other officer who was just given the title of assistant detective in the department and the fact that the officer is also not in the protected class of age. The employer was aware of plaintiff’s superior qualifications, seniority and the ability to perform the job as a sergeant and despite this, plaintiff was denied the promotion to the rank of sergeant.” One of the area’s best-known spring fundraisers, the Volunteer Center’s Derby Day Party, is scheduled for Saturday, May 4. The event will be held from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Apple Ridge Country Club, 269 East Crescent Avenue in Mahwah. The volunteer center’s 21st annual Derby Day party promises a winning combination of savory southern food, signature cocktails, wine tasting, great music, prizes and special auctions, the famous Winner’s Circle and Wine Pull, and the viewing of the Kentucky Derby on monitors throughout the venue. A new feature will be a cigar rolling demo on the outdoor patio courtesy of Maxum Cigars. Guests are encouraged to dress in festive, casual-elegant attire. In the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, trophies will be given for the “Most Elegant Hat” for the women and “Most Outrageous Tie” for the men. A preview of the auction items can be viewed at http://bergenvolunteers. org/derby_day.htm. Auction items include a Sharp Aquos 52” Sharp LED Smart TV, weekend getaway at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey, New York, tickets to area events, and more. The event is sponsored by TD Bank, Compensation Solutions, 201 Magazine/Bergen.com, Inserra Shop Rite, OritaniBank Charitable Foundation, Synetek Solutions, United Water, Atlantic, Tomorrows Office and numerous benefactors of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Funds raised at this event will sup- Derby Day scheduled port the work of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, which for 46 years has strengthened the community by connecting people with opportunities to serve, operating direct service volunteer programs, building capacity for effective volunteering, and participating in strategic partnerships that meet community needs. Programs include: • Two mentoring programs that are helping more than 100 abused or neglected children and over 50 overwhelmed mothers see and take steps to achieve a brighter future. • The Chore Volunteer Handyman Service, which is keeping more than 1,500 seniors safe in their own homes. • Bergen LEADS, with monthly seminars led by former County Executive William “Pat” Schuber, is developing a new generation of community leaders schooled in issues of critical importance to Bergen County. • The Business Volunteer Council sponsors initiatives that benefit children and families in need. Tickets to the Derby Day event are $100 each. To make reservations, to inquire about corporate sponsorship, or for further information, call (201) 4899454 or visit www.bergenvolunteers. org and click on the Derby Day link. The Volunteer Center of Bergen County strengthens the community by connecting people with opportunities to serve, operating direct service volunteer programs, building capacity for volunteering, and participating in partnerships that meet community needs.