I Survived the Arbitration Hearing

All that's left is waiting for the decision

I made it back a few weeks ago from Hawaii and have been recovering from this very stressful situation. It was a waking nightmare for me.

First off let me say that being in Hawaii felt like the pandemic was still hot on there. Everywhere I went people were still wearing face coverings from the employees in the Subway sandwich shop, to riders on the bus and even people on the beach. People there are still walking outside alone with a face covering on; it’s very odd especially given that they have such a high rate of injection there.

Former Mayor Kirk Caldwell gave out free masks to beachgoers at Waikiki’s Kuhio Beach in October 2020. 

Source: https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/10/honolulu-you-need-to-wear-masks-outside-even-with-your-own-family/

The hearing itself was very stressful. It was odd hearing people say my name all day every day while I was sitting right in front of them. I felt bullied and threatened like I was being beat up all over again. Every day a new tactic meant to intimidate me was deployed. I was asked to sign not one but three protective orders. They were afraid I was going to share documents even though I don’t have the documents that they entered into evidence.

At one point I reminded my attorney that I was not on trial and I was not a criminal. The state had the burden of proof in this situation.

They paraded witnessed through to paint me in a false light. I had to listen to people say derogatory things about me all day long; people who don’t even know me, some who have never spoken to me and/or worked with me. This was all done to distract from the facts of the case.

In the end I gleaned the real reason they had to fire me “for the good of the service”. It was all about the money and the messaging. State health departments received money for which there was strings attached. These strings included putting out certain public health messages even though these messages were proven to be incorrect. This is NOT public health. It is more clear to me now how corrupt public health has become. As always, follow the money.

I am beyond grateful for the HGEA union and the attorney they provided me. The attorney did a great job and presented a clear, concise case. He was polite, kind and respectful as well as very smart. Overall he believes we will prevail given most of their witnesses actually benefited our case.

It will be at least three or four months before a decision is made in my case so more to come.