Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — Nearly 60 plaintiffs involved with the Michigan Theatre of Jackson filed a lawsuit back in March against two members of the Theatre’s Board of Directors following the removal of Steve Tucker as Executive Director, and a motion hearing for a potential preliminary injunction to suspend the two board members has been adjourned to April 29.
The hearing was held on Friday (April 10) morning in the courtroom of Jackson County 12th District Court Judge Richard LaFlamme.
The plaintiffs’ attorney said that Board Chair Nan Whitmore and Director Kathryn Snyder should be ordered to be suspended while a lawsuit to remove the two for allegedly violating Theatre bylaws is pending, saying they have created “institutional turmoil” and have contributed to a work environment that has led to two employees quitting and one taking mental health leave at the recommendation of a mental health professional.
It was also argued that a loss of donors, staff, and community trust, as well as the indefinite postponement of the Theatre’s annual member meeting, should be significant enough for the judge to order the suspension.
The defendants on the board requested an adjournment with an extension time of two weeks, claiming that they found out on Wednesday that they would not be able to obtain legal counsel through their insurance before Friday’s hearing.
They also said they needed more time to get the board together to gather finances and make a formal response to the motion for a preliminary injunction.
Judge LaFlamme said that right now he only has “one side of the story”, and that he does not prefer to make a ruling before he is able to read both a motion and a response. He also said that two weeks was a “reasonable request” for an extension, saying that time frame would not “make or break” anything in regard to the case.
The plaintiffs’ attorney argued against the extension.
Judge LaFlamme ultimately adjourned the hearing until 8:30 a.m. on April 29, and testimony is expected to be taken during the hearing.
