Putnam parks commission accused of breaking mowing contract

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Hurricane lawn-mowing business is suing the Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission and its executive director for allegedly breaking a contract that prompted the company to buy a lot of equipment.

John Shannon and his company, J&J Services, are asking a judge to make the commission honor that contract. But the commission denies that the contract exists.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Hurricane lawn-mowing business is suing the Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission and its executive director for allegedly breaking a contract that prompted the company to buy a lot of equipment.

John Shannon and his company, J&J Services, are asking a judge to make the commission honor that contract. But the commission denies that the contract exists.

Shannon alleges that in late February 2013, Scott Williamson, head of the parks commission, told Shannon that he'd won a bid to mow the county's parks for an hourly rate for the next two and a half years.

Shannon said he financed $52,820 worth of equipment over three years and hired employees, and when he expressed concern about the equipment, "Williamson assured John Shannon that he would be taken care of for purchasing new equipment for the job," according to the complaint.

The commission had paid Shannon's company about $67,000 for the 2012 mowing season.

But the suit says Williamson directed employees to cut grass at the parks, reducing the number of hours for J&J Services, and in September 7 2013 he sent a letter to Shannon saying the contract would expire within a month.

The parks commission decided to do all mowing in house at a board meeting about three months after Williamson sent the letter. Shannon argues his company's contract with the parks commission is still valid and that not allowing J&J Services to do the work would mean the company has no income to pay employees or make payments on the equipment.

He filed the suit in Putnam Circuit Court January, saying then that mowing is supposed to begin this month and likely last through October. The suit states "time is of the essence in determining the validity of this contract" to allow the company to prepare. A status hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. April 4, and pretrial and trial hearings may be set at that time.

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Putnam parks commission accused of breaking mowing contract