Disabled city staffer is dismissed

The Libby city worker whose left hand was severed during a workplace accident on Aug. 16 has been fired from his job with the city.

The Western News has since learned the identity of the worker as Darren Robe.

City Administrator Jim Hammons, before the City Council meeting on Monday, confirmed the city worker had been fired. According to Hammons, the worker had been under a 12-month job probationary period and has since been dismissed.

A tight-lipped Hammons offered no explanation for the dismissal, except to say he had been instructed to fire the employee. Hammons, who admitted to visiting the employee while in the hospital, said he did not recall the date of the dismissal.

“I really can’t say anything further,” Hammons said, hinting of legal implications.

The city worker was with the Street Department, and the accident occurred as crews were sweeping the streets just a day before the Ignite the Nites weekend.

Mayor Doug Roll previously said he expects a workman’s compensation claim to be filed.

“He was on a 12-month probationary period,” Roll said. “The (firing) was totally unrelated to the accident. I can’t say any more because it involves personnel issues, which are confidential,” Roll said.

Reportedly, the worker reached toward one of the brushes of a city street sweeper when he lost his left hand. 

City Attorney Jim Reintsma, reached Thursday, stressed the confidentiality of the case.

“Legally, we cannot say too much unless a release is received from the worker,” Reintsma said.

“It's just the law.”