https://www.marinij.com/2020/09/13/marin-seaplane-flyer-sues-county-over-coronavirus-shutdown/
Marin County Counsel Brian Washington
When the state replaced its coronavirus “watchlist” for counties with a four-tiered system at the end of August, Marin County revised its policy to allow all aviation-related services.
The lawsuit asserts that the change of policy constitutes an admission by the county that Seaplane Adventures could have resumed operations much earlier without endangering public health.
Singer said the business restarted limited operations over the weekend.
“I’m only able to fly weekends because I don’t have enough resources to open full time,” Singer said.
The suit states that because of the prolonged shutdown, Seaplane Adventures lost its chief pilot, director of maintenance and four other employees. The suit says the business spent more than $680,000 to train the chief pilot. Singer said he is currently doing some of the flying himself.
The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 2 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. In addition to compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees, the suit seeks a permanent injunction to prevent the county from grounding the airline again.
“Based on the capriciousness of the county and the complete lack of any standard being set by the county,” Singer said, “I have no idea what it is going to be like a week from now.”
Washington wrote, “Seaplane Adventures’ suit asks the Court to Monday-morning quarterback the Health Officer’s judgment about what was necessary to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are confident that the courts will decline to do so.”
Washington said Marin County has also been named as a codefendant, along with nine other counties and the state, in a suit brought by Patioworld that alleges local health orders constituted an #unconstitutional taking of its business.
Singer is one of six candidates competing in the Nov. 3 election for three seats on the Sausalito City Council.
No comments:
Post a Comment