RRCA facing wrongful dismissal suit Elections postponed

The Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association held its annual general meeting last Wednesday night at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton, but did not hold elections as usual.
Current RRCA president Ken McKinnon informed the membership that due to an outstanding legal matter, he asked local ag rep Gary Sliworsky what options they have with regards to elections.
Sliworsky said that basically there are no options. He noted a similar instance occurred elsewhere five years ago and that the board under litigation stayed on until the matter was resolved.
For the RRCA, the matter involves former sales barn manager Russell Richards.
Richards’ spouse and son were at the meeting Wednesday and told the Rainy River Record that he had four years left on a 10-year contract with the RRCA when he was dismissed.
His son said Richards is suing the RRCA for wrongful dismissal. He’s seeking $120,000—the balance owing on the contract.
His wife noted that members of the RRCA came to their house numerous times and tried to get Richards to quit, but he refused.
McKinnon refused to comment on the lawsuit. He also would not confirm whether or not the RRCA has insurance to protect it and the directors from such litigation.
RRCA member Ken McDonald introduced a motion to have the current board of directors stay on until the matter is resolved. It was seconded by Steve Loshaw.
“I don’t know what the impact of the pending lawsuit will be, but the only assets we [RRCA] own is the cattle barn,” Loshaw told the membership prior to the vote on the motion.
“As members that is what is at stake.”
The motion carried, with no one voting against it.
The only offices not affected by the lawsuit were that of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Advisory Council and two voting delegates to the annual general meeting of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association.
Kim Jo Bliss was elected to the first position, with Stefan Szeder as alternate, while Clayton Teeple and Shawn Hyatt were elected as the delegates to the OCA meeting, which is slated for Feb. 20-21 in Toronto.