by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 29/97) - A wrongful dismissal case against Mackenzie Court Workers Services has resulted in the release of the man who did the firing.

Meanwhile, John LeMouel, an employee with the non-profit legal aid agency, is back on the job he was fired from more than a year ago.

Steve Melnick was removed as executive director shortly after a general election of the Mackenzie board of directors just before Christmas.

The election resulted in four newcomers on the six-member board.

The turnaround stemmed from the settlement of a wrongful dismissal lawsuit brought by LeMouel after his firing.

"I wanted to settle it out of court and the board decided to do that," said board chairman Danny Beaulieu.

"I know the executive director had trouble with that idea. I knew it was going to be a problem and we were going to deal with it. I don't think he would have wanted to stay anyway, if we had settled things out of court."

Though he worked for Mackenzie, Melnick was on contract to the Legal Services Board, which administers all regional court services.

Legal Services Board Chairman Steven Cooper would not comment specifically on Melnick's case, but said such decisions are made jointly between the two organizations.

Melnick is currently working in another capacity for Legal Services, noted Beaulieu. A receptionist at the Legal Aid office said he was currently on sick leave.

Contacted at home last week, Melnick had little to say about the situation. "It's not something I'm prepared to discuss at this point," he said.

LeMouel has been back at Mackenzie Court Workers since Jan. 6. He was fired by Melnick Dec. 22, 1995. Details of his out-of-court settlement were to be finalized last week.

Beaulieu said Mackenzie is currently searching for a replacement for Melnick.

Mackenzie Court Workers Services provides legal aid for those in the Deh Cho, Sahtu, Mackenzie Delta, Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 claim areas and Yellowknife.