president Charlie Marshall tried to fire former administrative assistant Joe L. Brown...just the one instance where he succeeded, it was revealed yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference in the offices of his attorney, Richard Hector, Brown stated that Marshall had originally attempted to effect his dismissal on January 16 of last year, less than two months after taking over.

"During his second executive committee meeting Mr. Marshall announced to a stunned executive committee, and a shocked and embarrassed administrative assistant, that he was firing me,'' said Brown, who is continuing with legal action against the BFA for unfair dismissal.

"When questioned by members of the executive as to what meeting of the executive committee was the decision made, the president explained that it was made by the executive officers, who to a man, admitted that the president had expressed this wish during a meeting with them, but they had made no such agreement, nor recommendation to the executive that such a course of action be taken.'' Brown went on to describe the "severe mental pressure'' he endured every day at work, with the spectre of sudden unemployment hanging perilously overhead.

The situation was accentuated when Brown was taken to hospital late last year complaining of chest pains and numbness. Doctors revealed these ailments to be stress-related and in Brown's case the level was considered to be abnormally high.

Brown produced documents he had written to both the directors and Marshall, outlining the way he perceived the president to be flaunting the rules of the association, his lack of communication with the administrator and Brown's own desire to have these things looked into.

"So many things took place in relation to the administration of the association that I felt in some cases, and knew in others, were wrong so I addressed my concerns in a memo to the directors on May 30, 1992,'' said Brown. "My concerns apparently were ignored, but they investigated and recommended action on the president's concerns.'' "As a result of the recent turmoil within the administration I have been made to be the scapegoat for the failure of elected officials to properly manage the affairs of the association.'' Brown said that he would be "willing to abide any decision made by an impartial body as long as the BFA would also agree to abide by its rulings.'' Following the press conference it was further revealed that the BFA yesterday attempted to present Brown with a cheque for approximately $800, half of the $1,677.89 owed to him as stipulated in his letter of dismissal, and almost a month late -- the money was due to be paid on January 21.

Brown refused to accept the payment from BFA director Gerard Bean, demanding full payment and nothing less. Brown press release, Page 18.